Adelaide petrol prices spike more than 50c/l in latest hike in the cycle
The latest petrol price spike has created some farcical scenes on major Adelaide roads as some servos jack up their prices while others keep them low. Find out where it’s still cheap.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- South Australian motorists want access to real-time petrol prices
- Are you getting the most out of your Advertiser subscription?
Petrol stations as close as 100m apart have a 50c/l gulf in their cost for unleaded, as the latest hike in the cycle sends prices soaring.
Major retailers started hiking their prices to 174c/l on Monday from a low in the cycle that dipped down around 124c/l over the weekend.
Many, mostly independent retailers, have held their prices low, creating scenes on major arterial roads where stations within hundreds of metres of each other have 50c/l differences in prices.
On Marion Rd at Mitchell Park on Tuesday, an OTR petrol station was selling unleaded for 173.9c/l while a Liberty servo about 100m down the road had it for 123.9c/l.
RAA fuel expert Mark Borlace said 50c/l gulfs from the top to the bottom of the fuel cycle were becoming the norm.
“There is currently a 51.2c variation between the highest and lowest price for ULP in Adelaide, with the fuel cycle in its 18th day,” he said.
“This peak is 9.1 cents higher than the last spike but consistent with the prices in the four previous spikes.
“Typically it takes two to three days for all petrol retailers to increase their prices, with only a few larger retailers currently selling at increased prices and independent retailers still the cheapest.”
MORE NEWS
Dying man staggered up road with chest wounds
Trainer banned after horse left with injured leg for 43 days
Another popular Aussie retailer collapses
Mr Borlace encouraged motorists to shop around for the cheapest prices and reinforced the RAA’s calls for the State Government to introduce real-time fuel price.
“This is why RAA continues to advocate for real-time fuel pricing which will allow motorists to see the cheapest prices in the market and potentially save up to $30 per typical 60L tank,” he said.
The State Government has said there is conflicting evidence on the effectiveness of real-time fuel pricing and Attorney-General Vickie Chapman has asked the Productivity Commission to investigate various models.
Fuel price monitoring website MotorMouth showed pockets of retailers with prices in the mid-120c/l on Tuesday afternoon on Marion Rd at Netley, Henley Beach Rd around Brooklyn Park, several on Port and Torrens roads and at Seaford south of Adelaide.