As we've been informed by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, from April 7th, beleaguered consumers will be coughing up an additional 25.5c per litre of petrol and diesel. If ever there was a time to become frugal with fuel, it's now.
The increase is made up of a general fuel levy increase of 10c per litre, as well as an additional levy of 7.5c per litre - apparently to help fund the new petrol pipeline between Durbs and Gauteng. The rest comes from an 8c per litre increase in the Road Accident Fund levy on petrol and diesel. He's also suggested that new passenger cars pay a flat rate emissions tax, effective from September 2010. Gordhan is quoted as saying, " the more fuel efficient your car is, the less tax you'll pay." Fair enough on that last point, Pravin... cars should be fuel-efficient.
However, we'd be less bothered by the increases if systems were run efficiently. Taxpayers are getting tired of being milked, for no discernible purpose, other than to fund other people's Breitling watches and Sandhurst homes. Is any upkeep being done at all? Half the streetlights in my road don't work... and potholes are rapidly becoming an accepted fact of life in Johannesburg: there's a humongous crater in Gleneagles Road, Greenside, the size of a large Nguni cow. It's obviously caused major damage to cars, because motorists have taken it upon themselves to plant a big, red warning flag right in the middle of it.
Do I sound grumpy? Despondent? It's probably a state of mind that's been exacerbated by all the media reports of young Julius Malema's lavish lifestyle, and his continued insistence that he doesn't have to answer to us, the taxpayers. Is this the future of government? What are your thoughts on the issue of how your taxes are or are not being spent? It is your money, after all, and I think we have the right to insist that the government uses it wisely and frugally. We're trying to spend intelligently - and so should they.
Meanwhile we have a looming fuel increase to contend with, so here are some tips on how to squeeze the maximum out of every drop of petrol.
Maintenance
Before you go-go...
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- Lose weight - Extra weight means extra fuel so if there's stuff in the boot you don't need on the journey take it out and leave it at home.
- Don't get lost - Plan unfamiliar journeys to reduce the chance of getting lost. Check the traffic news before you go too. Get a GPS.
- Combine short trips - Cold starts are inefficient so it pays to combine errands such as grocery shopping and dropping off the kids into one trip rather than making multiple short trips.
- Consider alternatives - If it's a short journey (a couple of kms or so) consider walking or cycling rather than taking the car. You'll also be a lot healthier!
En route
- Easy does it - Drive smoothly, accelerate gently and read the road ahead to avoid unnecessary braking.
- Gear up earlier - Change gear as soon as possible without straining the engine. A car travelling at 60km per hour in third gear uses 25 percent more fuel than at the same speed in fifth gear.
- Cut down on the aircon - Air conditioning increases fuel consumption at low speeds, but at higher speeds the effects are less noticeable. If it's a hot day it's more economical to open the windows around town and save the air conditioning for high speed driving.
- Slow down, buddy - Drive at or within the speed limit - the faster you go the greater the fuel consumption.
When making the choice:
Yes, size matters
Choose a light, economical car - small cars use far more fuel-efficient and produce lower emissions than large cars. Or get a hybrid, green car. These combine a conventional engine with an electric motor and battery. Locally, a Toyota Prius is still really your only option here.
In the market for a brand new car? Take a look at this comprehensive breakdown of SA's most fuel efficient cars - both petrol and diesel.
Do you have any other good fuel saving tips? I'd love to hear from you!