Adelaide motorists told to look out for petrol profiteers
Adelaide’s petrol prices are heading up again as retailers try to create a spike but independent stations are holding out against the push to get fuel back over $1.
SA News
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Adelaide’s petrol retailers are again trying to spike prices as motorists take advantage of some of the lowest fuel costs in decades.
But the RAA said a bid by the major suppliers to increase prices may fail because of the stay-at-home restrictions.
“We will watch over the next 24 hours to see if rising prices eventuate into a general petrol price spike,’’ spokesman Mark Borlace said.
“The last attempt at a spike two weeks ago failed as the high prices posted by some outlets only lasted for a couple of days.
“We’ll see if it is the last time we see prices below $1 per litre for unleaded.
“Prices should remain relatively low while the coronavirus continues to affect airline and transport services and reduced global demand for oil is still in play,’’ he said.
Adelaide’s unleaded petrol prices slumped to well below $1 per litre for unleaded during the week, and at one outlet it was selling for as little as 49c/L.
The MotorMouth app showed Liberty stations on Port Rd were selling for 85.7c/L today and at Port Adelaide for 87.5c/L.
The independents once again were holding out against the majors which were trying to spike prices, mainly offering for 119c/L.
Liberty was also selling in the north eastern suburbs for 88c/L.
BP at Campbelltown bucked the trend by the majors and was selling for 90.9c/L and OTR at Holden Hill also matched the independents with a price of 87.9c/L.
Further north at Golden Grove Liberty was selling for 87.9c/L and at Smithfield was selling for 87.9c/L.
One industry source said there had been a significant slump in petrol sales because of the coronavirus crisis – and didn’t expect it would get better in the short-term.
“We are selling 25 per cent less fuel since people have been told to work from home and with the cheap prices finished, next week that will be more than 30 per cent,’’ he said.
