David Cameron is facing another damaging Commons revolt by Tory MPs as backbenchers call for the planned rise in petrol duty to be scrapped.

MPs are due to vote on a backbench motion calling for the government to abandon January's proposed increase of 3p a litre and consider a "price stabilisation mechanism" to avoid crippling the economy.

More than 100 MPs of all parties – including 83 Conservatives and five Liberal Democrats – have so far signed the motion, secured through an e-petition which encourages ministers to vote for plans to reduce petrol and diesel prices to help struggling motorists.

Downing Street would not say whether Tory MPs would be instructed to vote against it, but the government is unlikely to force another rebellion so soon after the problems it faced over the EU referendum vote last month.

The vote was triggered by a No 10 e-petition which attracted more than 100,000 signatures, and calls on the government to scrap the fuel duty increases scheduled for January and August 2012 and put pressure on oil companies to pass on cheaper prices to motorists.

Conservative backbencher Rob Halfon, who secured today's debate, revealed he had been told there would be a three-line whip - the strongest disciplinary sanction.

But he said he hoped that it would be reduced to a one-line whip before the debate begins which would mean MPs who voted against government policy would not face disciplinary action.

Downing Street refused to say whether it would bow to pressure and consider scrapping the planned 3p a litre rise in petrol duty due in January.

The prime minister's official spokesman said that decisions on taxation were a matter for the chancellor. "We recognise as a government that motoring is an essential part of everyday life for many families and fuel is a significant cost for those families," the spokesman said.

"When it comes to future policy on fuel duty, that is a matter for the chancellor. We don't set out tax policy ahead of budgets. We set it out in budgets."

Halfon however warned that feelings on the issue were running high both in parliament and the country at large.

"I have been astonished by the level of support (for the motion)," he said. "It is crucifying people across the country."

Labour said its MPs would be supporting an amendment tabled by backbencher Dave Watts to cut the cost of fuel by, for instance, reversing January's VAT rise. Shadow Treasury minister Owen Smith said: "With our economic recovery choked off well before the recent eurozone crisis we need action and not just warm words."

In an apparent olive branch to the rebels, it was reported in the Times that Downing Street was considering scrapping the planned 3p a litre rise in petrol duty due in January.