Coffs drivers hungry for hybrids as fuel prices skyrocket

Coffs Harbour motorists are falling increasingly in love with hybrid vehicles as fuel prices continue to climb.

Brand spanking hybrid vehicles are in hot demand in Coffs Harbour, as local fuel prices top the eye-watering $2-a-litre mark.

Filling the tank with petrol or diesel has become a wallet-whacking exercise to the point where it’s sparked a heated debate about whether the government should temporarily reduce the fuel excise, as New Zealand has done.

The NRMA is in the nay camp, arguing the government needs the tax revenue to plough into the road network, especially in the wake of infrastructure damage wrought by the floods.

At the retail end, an increasing number of local motorists are looking at alternatives like hybrid or fully electric-powered cars.

“The future’s here - it’s not coming, it’s here now,” Coffs Harbour Toyota dealer principal Warren Skinner said.

He said hybrid sales had been strong for some time, noting the pain he felt when he recently had to fuel up in Brisbane for $2.41-a-litre for 98-grade petrol.

Mr Skinner said while fully electric vehicles were still restrained by the lag in establishing a national charging network, the trajectory for hybrid cars was full steam ahead.

“They’re (hybrids) a great alternative,” he said.

“With a hybrid Camry you can go to Brisbane on a quarter-of-a tank.”

Heading the hybrid demand is the RAV4, a leader in Australians’ love for SUVs.

“But the Corolla, the Camry and the Yaris (hybrids) are all popular,” Mr Skinner said.

There’s a catch though - as virtually all manufacturers are battling to meet demand in the Australian market.

Mr Skinner said the wait for new Toyotas was “six to 12 months”.

Down the road at Geoff King Motors, general manager Paul King said there was steady demand for hybrid and electric vehicles, but hadn’t noticed any “real change” since the Russia-Ukraine conflict sent global fuel prices on a crazy spiral.

Mike Blewitt Ford and Bellbowrie Motors were also approached for comment.