Why we still can’t quit petrol even as prices soar

Petrol prices are up, car use is down, public transport and
electric cars are booming, yet Australians are buying petrol more
often than ever. Bank data shows panic topping‑up, driven by
fear, not need. In this episode of The Economy, Stupid, we
explain why fuel demand barely shifts with price and what it will
take to finally break our dependence on petrol and diesel.


Guests:


Adam Triggs, Economist at consultancy Mandala; Researcher at the
Australian National University and the Brookings Institution.


Paul Burke, Energy specialist and long‑time researcher at the
Australian National University.