Half of older drivers will cut car use due to cost-of-living crisis

The cost-of-living crisis is forcing half of older drivers to make fewer journeys, according to a survey by disability motoring website MotaClarity. The poll of more than 1,000 drivers aged 50 and over found that 54 per cent were considering placing self-imposed limits on their driving in order to save cash in the face of mounting household expenses. With miles driven going down – in this particular demographic at least – should the data be proved to reflect reality, tyre consumption will also drop.

39 per cent of those questioned said that they were putting less fuel in their vehicle each time they visited the fuel station, and over two thirds (67%) said that fuel economy and running costs would be the number one issue when choosing their next car.

Three-fifths of the drivers with a disability or mobility issues that responded said that they face a direct choice between driving and heating their homes this winter.

This is all despite the fact that more than 80 per cent (81.5%) of all disabled drivers – many of whom lease a vehicle through the government-funded Motability Scheme – consider access to a car and affordable travel important to their quality of life.

A quarter (25%) said a reduction on their ability to travel would make it more difficult for them to do basic household tasks like food shopping. In addition, 23 per cent said being able to drive less often would make them feel more isolated while the same percentage (23%) were worried it would reduce their quality of life.

The decision taken in early October by Motability to pay their customers £350 of the Good Condition Bonus (an incentive that rewards customers who return their leased cars in a good condition) early should go some way towards helping drivers with a disability and carers make the most of their vehicle during this challenging time.

On a positive note, almost a quarter of all the drivers questioned with a disability or mobility issues impacted by the rising cost of living (24.4%) say the issue will lead them to look seriously at swapping to a more fuel-efficient vehicle, including electric vehicles (EVs). Despite this, more than three-quarters (77%) are worried about high cost of EVs compared with petrol and diesel vehicles.