In Australia, there’s two things that usually unite people of all walks of life: the weather, and petrol prices. Right now, we’re feeling pretty ‘united’, you could put it.

But sadly, our unity isn’t the nice kind, where we all work together and make social progress. Instead, our unity is one of being royally ticked off at the eye-wateringly high petrol prices.

Fuel costs have almost never been this high. So, how do we safeguard ourselves from having to take out a second mortgage, just to fill up? The experts at Carbroker provide some insight.

1. Enter a novated lease

If it’s a possibility for you, then choosing a novated lease, over the conventional method of owning your car, may actually work out better for you. Entering a novated lease on your vehicle of choice entitles you to claim fuel costs against your taxable income, saving you a considerable chunk of cash. When petrol is over $2.20 per litre like it has been recently, these figures will add up in no time. To learn more about novated leases, talk to the team at Carbroker.com.au.

2. Invest in a hybrid, or fully electric car

Hybrids are becoming more and more popular. In fact, between 2020 and 2021, hybrid sales tripled here in Australia. This was even before we had to sink a week’s pay cheque into a tank of petrol. Now, there’s even more of an excuse to ditch the fossil fuels and go hybrid, or fully electric.

Hybrids can save you a ton of cash. The new Toyota Camry 2.5 Ascent Hybrid CVT, for example, has an average mileage of 4.3l/100km when driving around the city. That’s 30% more efficient than the new Toyota Corolla petrol-engine hatch, which is rated at 6.3l/100km.

Fully electric vehicles, like Teslas, are a whole different story. While setting up a charging station at home may come with a higher upfront cost, it certainly pays off in the long run.

3. Drive economically

Getting the best mileage out of your vehicle often depends on how economically you’re driving it. Accelerate slowly and smoothly when the light turns green, and try your best not to accelerate towards a red light. This causes you to use unnecessary fuel and puts more stress on your brakes when you stop. Maintaining a steady speed on longer stretches is another tip: when your speed dips and bursts, you use more fuel.

Ready to protect yourself against rising fuel costs? Get in touch with the experts at Carbroker. They help you find the best car for the best price, using their database of over 2000 car dealerships across Australia to do so. They can also help with car finance options, whether you’re looking at a novated lease, a car loan, or a trade-in.