1 in 3 German drivers to leave car at home more to save on fuel

Just more than a third of German drivers say they plan to leave the car at home more amid soaring prices at the fuel pump, according to a survey published on Tuesday, reported dpa.

YouGov found that 22.9% were already doing this, while another 12% intended to cut back on driving in future.

Money was the main motivating factor: 49% said they wanted to take their foot off the pedal "in order to save money." For 16%, the environment was the top reason, while 14.9% wanted to get more exercise.

In the survey, three-quarters of participants said they depend on their car to some extent, partly due to a lack of public transport options. Around half of the drivers used their car at least five times a week.

The war in Ukraine has driven the cost of fuel to record levels in Germany, with petrol currently costing an average of €2.09 per litre and diesel at €2.16, according to the ADAC motorists association.

Less scrupulous drivers might turn to another tactic to keep their fuel costs down: stealing.

"It can be assumed that fuel thefts have increased," a spokesperson for the Federal Association of Road Haulage, Logistics and Disposal (BGL) told dpa.

"However, we do not get notified of every case because they are rarely reported," the spokesperson said.