The average motorist could soon be paying more than €3,000 a year to fill up their car, swallowing almost 15% of the average take-home pay, a survey has predicted.

Figures compiled by the AA are based on the price for a litre of unleaded petrol now at €1.20 and diesel costing in excess of €1.20 per litre.

Soaring costs of crude oil, caused by increased demand from developing countries such as China and India, have pushed up petrol prices by almost 20 cent a litre since this time last year.

For a motorist driving 15,000 kilometres a year, that equates to €2,100 in annual fuel bills - €360 more than this year.

The average industrial take home pay in Ireland in 2008 is €27,000 based on a wage of €32,000, meaning the average car will guzzle almost 8% of take-home pay in fuel bills alone. Based on fuel prices the outlook for drivers is bleak. The more recent fuel price increases could be enough to force some drivers off the road altogether.

As a direct result of these price hikes, it would be no surprise to see more motorists leaving their car at home and using other methods of transport.

However, drivers who are reliant on their cars for business or live in remote areas will be hardest hit - for them, leaving the car at home is simply not an option.

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