Here in the US, gas is above $4 a gallon and on its way to $5. Everyone is looking to save gas and lower their carbon footprint as well. Time to consider a hybrid? Read Who are you kidding? in Britain’s Telegraph first. “However much fuel it does or doesn’t save, the Toyota Prius has become a byword for fatuous lip-service to environmentalism…”
Certainly we need to lower our consumption of hydrocarbons. First steps ought to include driving less and at lowered speeds with fewer jackrabbit takeoffs from stops. Using those simple techniques can save 10-15% without any layout of money for a new car.
Nullius in Verba 
Filling my Micra’s tank costs twice what it did a few years ago. Most days I bike, though this tends to mean my unmoving car gets picked on – smashed window, ripped-off wing mirror, smashed headlight; three incidents in under a year.
And here we have frequent speed cushions, for which most drivers accelerate/break. It makes them cross, too, but there’s usually a handy cyclist they can take it out on.
Oh dear, I’m grumbling on your blog. Sorry.
Yikes! Tough neighborhood. So much for British gentility.