RAA urging motorists to fill up fuel tanks as petrol prices continue to rise

Motorists are being urged to fill up their tanks as soon as possible, as fuel prices across the state once again surge closer to $2/L for unleaded 91.

Motorists are being urged to fill up their tanks as fuel prices begin to rise back to $2/L across parts of the state.

According to the RAA real-time fuel prices app, Adelaide’s eastern suburbs had the highest prices – with many stations charging 199.9/L for unleaded 91.

On Wednesday afternoon, the cheapest price in Adelaide was OTR Newton on Gorge Rd, at 156.9/L.

X Convenience Plympton had unleaded 91 at 157.5/L, while Caltex Woolworths West Richmond was 157.9/L.

RAA fuel expert Mark Borlace urged consumers to fill up today if they spotted anything cheaper than 170/L.

Petrol prices are tipped to rise this week in Adelaide. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

“The last cycle was sort of averaged out about $2.30. If we get a 40 cent spike now today, which is what we often have, then with these prices it will still take us up to $2,” he said.

“It’s probably twice what we were paying for fuel 18 months ago.

“Come September 28, there’s still a chance that the federal government will put that 24 cents (excise charge) back onto the fuel.

“If you’re seeing anything under $1.70 today, I’d be buying it.”

Mr Borlace said there were two fundamental drivers of fuel prices in Australia – the price of crude oil and the strength of the Aussie dollar.

“The world price for crude oil we all have to pay regardless of where we live, that’s the way that market works, and the strength of the Australian dollar, because nearly all energy contracts are written in US dollars,” he said.

“We’ve had the cost of crude going up quite a lot, but we’ve seen it now in the last month or so plateauing.

“The reason for that is China got hit with Covid and their economy slowed a bit, so there wasn't as much demand in the market.”