Why finding cheap petrol in Sydney is harder than it has ever been

Sydney is one of the most expensive cities to fuel up in and exclusive new data explains why that is the case. The good news is, there’s something you can do about it.

If you feel like your fuel light is constantly on as you wait for fuel prices to drop, you’re not alone.

Exclusive new data has revealed Sydney has one of the longest – and most expensive – fuel cycles in the country.

A price cycle determines how long it takes for petrol prices to drop and go back up again. The longer a price cycle lasts, the more exposure motorists have to high prices.

In some cities, such as Perth this cycle is 7 days. However, new NRMA analysis has revealed that in Sydney, this cycle can last seven weeks.

“It’s a deliberate tactic by the fuel industry to make more money,” said NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury.

It’s why Sydneysiders are coughing up more for petrol, for longer. However there is a way to fight back.

Dan and Sheree Freeman have felt the pinch from surging petrol cycles and prices. Picture: Jonathan Ng

A new NRMA campaign hopes to shed light on the cycle, notifying motorist of the cheapest day to fill up via an app, making sure they buy at the bottom of the cycle.

“Sydney never used to be such an expensive city. In 2009 Sydney had a seven day cycle, and every Tuesday was cheap Tuesday. That is long gone.

“If we can get people to fill up at the bottom of the cycle, the more people who buy at the bottom of the cycle, the more likely is that the trend will change,” he said.

NRMA’s analysis found Australia’s three largest cities – Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne – have been exposed to price cycles of between four to seven weeks from 2018-2024.

By contrast, Australia’s two cheapest cities, Perth and Adelaide, have cycles of seven days and seventeen days, respectively.

To make matters worse for motorists, data analysts found that when Sydney reaches the top of its price cycle, almost half of the stations in Sydney are charging the highest price possible.

“Finding a bargain is harder than it has ever been before,” said NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury.

“This is the most comprehensive review done into the petrol price cycles across our biggest cities and shows how motorists have been getting the rough end of the stick for years,” he said.

To respond to the price crisis, NRMA is launching a new campaign, with a first-of-its-kind NRMA Rewards app providing users with real time pushing notifications informing members when the price cycle has hit the bottom and when to fill up.

“The largest gap between the cheapest and most expensive service stations in Sydney hit a record 59.2 cents per litre on 31 August.

Sydney is among the most expensive cities to fuel up in. Picture: Jonathan Ng

By giving real-time data to motorists on that day a maximum saving of $29.60 could have been achieved and an annual saving of $1,540,” said NRMA.

It will mean drivers like Dan Freedman won’t have to fight the low fuel light. The Sydney dad said services such as the NRMA app, which alerts drivers when fuel prices are low, would help his family budget.

“You don’t really know what the fuel prices are going to be to what you’re trying to budget with. Your expenses, your food, your groceries, your rent, your electricity. When it’s consistent, it’s easier to budget,” he said.

NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said the changing nature of price cycles across Australia’s largest cities was leaving Australians exposed to higher prices for longer and tackling this concern was a key priority for the NRMA.

“This year the NRMA made a commitment to find new ways for Australians to reduce the burden on their family budgets as a result of being exposed to these higher prices at the bowser for longer – today we have delivered on that promise,” Mr Khoury said.

“NRMA research exposed the reality of these cycles: they are lasting longer, prices rise up-to three times faster than they fall – and with this latest research we know that the majority of service stations in Sydney are charging the maximum price longer at the top of the cycle – there are no more outliers.”