Published | 19 March 2026
Simple changes in driving habits and vehicle maintenance could save Tasmanian drivers more than $500 a year in fuel costs.
RACT General Manager Advocacy and Government Relations, Mel Percival, said while rapidly rising fuel prices were causing concern and stress for Tasmanians, motorists could take back some control by making simple adjustments to their behaviour to improve fuel efficiency.
“Smoother driving, using cruise control on open roads, ensuring tyres are inflated to the correct pressure and removing excess weight can all add up to improve fuel economy by around 15 per cent,” Ms Percival said.
“At today’s prices, that improvement is the equivalent of paying around $2 per litre instead of $2.37 – a saving of more than 35 cents a litre without changing vehicles.
“That’s not trivial — it equates to around $3.55 for every 100 kilometres driven.
“For a typical 60-litre tank, that means gaining more than 100 kilometres of extra range, or putting around $25 back in your pocket every time you fill up.
“Over the course of a year, those small changes can add up to savings of more than $500 for the average Tasmanian driver, simply by driving more efficiently.
“Looking ahead to anticipate changes in traffic flow to reduce braking and avoiding quick acceleration not only saves money, it is safer too.”
Ms Percival said taking steps to improve fuel efficiency was something everyone could do that did not negatively impact others in the community such as stockpiling fuel.
“Stockpiling fuel is not only dangerous, it makes the problem worse for everyone, particularly in regional areas.
“If petrol stations sell more fuel then they anticipate they risk running short and have to order emergency resupplies, which takes time and can cost more.”
RACT’s practical tips for improving fuel economy:
Practice smoother driving to reduce braking and acceleration.
Use cruise control on open roads.
Check tyres are inflated to the recommended pressure.
Remove roof racks to improve aerodynamics and remove excess weight from your vehicle.
Plan your trip – try and do two or three things to reduce overall travel.
Turn off air conditioning in mild weather.
Reset your trip meter after filling up and monitor how changes in driving habits influence mileage.
Shop around for the best price using the RACT app to find the lowest prices in your area and take advantage of membership discounts and fuel with purchase offers.