Savvy Queenslanders turn to fuel apps to ease budget squeeze
RACQ’s fuel price monitoring app has seen an almost 300% surge in downloads since the fuel crisis began, as new research highlights growing concern about everyday expenses.
In March, RACQ’s Fuel and Deals app was downloaded by a record breaking 27,374 people in March compared to 6,863 people in February.
RACQ Principal Economic and Affordability Specialist Dr Ian Jeffreys said on Friday 6 March alone, less than a week after the Middle East conflict began, the app was downloaded 5,357 times.
“With higher fuel prices and ongoing global uncertainty, it's encouraging to see drivers becoming savvier and using free price comparison tools, like our Fuels and Deals app, to make their money go further,” Dr Jeffreys said.
“This surge shows just how sensitive household budgets are to fuel prices right now, and how actively people are trying to cut everyday expenses wherever they can.”
The spike in demand coincides with new findings from the Australian Automobile Association which showed three in four (74%) Queenslanders believed cost of living was the most important issue facing Australia.
“When we look at the breakdown, three in four Queenslanders (74%) say they’re most worried about the cost of groceries and food, while more than half (57%) are concerned about fuel prices,” Dr Jeffreys said.
With prices at the pump remaining high, this significant increase in weekly fuel costs has led to one in three motorists foregoing their travel plans and nearly half cutting back on other spending just to afford fuel.
“With global uncertainty continuing to drive volatility in fuel markets, price comparison tools that offer transparency are becoming essential for households trying to manage rising costs,” Dr Jeffreys said.
Fuel stations have been reporting their live fuel prices and changes to the Queensland Government since 2018, following RACQ’s advocacy for the introduction of real time price monitoring.
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