MP ANDREW George has welcomed a government announcement that a rural fuel rebate piloted in the Scillies will be extended to Cornwall.
He has campaigned for a fuel concession in areas where a car is a necessity for many.
Mr George told The Cornishman he had been pressing ministers to help people in areas that didn't enjoy the kind of public transport system metropolitan and suburban areas took for granted.
The Government introduced a 5p-a-litre rebate on the Scillies last year but Mr George said it was merely a small trial prior to a wider roll-out.
Last week the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, said the Government would be seeking EU approval to extend the scheme to 36 remote rural areas, including Cornwall.
Mr George said: "The system is massively unfair. Urban folk enjoy a full range of often subsidised public transport options, meaning that they can manage well without the expense of owning a car, whereas rural dwellers usually have no choice but to get a car just to get to work and to basic services."
He said an online petition he started at the weekend already had 1,000 signatures.
"We're getting a phenomenal response," he said. "With strong public support and good evidence, I'm sure that we can persuade Treasury ministers and secure a road fuel rebate for Cornwall, just as we successfully did for the Scillies."