News

NewsSaving Money On Fuel
Saving Money On Fuel

Saving Money On Fuel

Tags: Tips and Tricks
Last updated by Someone on

The cost of petrol in this country continues to irritate motorists who often struggle to work out the so-called “price cycle”.

But there are more and more apps and websites every day helping motorists to find the cheapest petrol in their area.

ACCC data found that the use of petrol pricing apps and websites was more than five times greater in the December quarter of 2016, with 21 million hits compared to four million in the prior corresponding period.

"The increasing popularity of these websites and apps, and the ability of some to crowd source price data, is helping people play an active role in finding cheaper petrol prices and helping discounting petrol retailers broadcast their lower prices," Mr Sims said.

According to the ACCC, “Price cycles are the result of deliberate pricing policies of petrol retailers, and are not directly related to changes in wholesale costs.

“The duration of petrol price cycles in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide varies from cycle to cycle, and has increased in recent years. In 2015 to date, price cycle durations in these cities have ranged from a low of 13 days to a high of 67 days. The petrol price cycle duration in Perth is generally seven days.”

Price variations of up to 30 cents a litre across some suburbs have been recorded, according to the FuelWatch website in NSW, and with these variations a motorist who fills up their 45-litre tank once a week can save up to $700 a year by shopping around. 

The below check of prices nationally was done using the MotorMouth website and is for E10 fuel. Spare a thought for our Tasmanian members….

Sydney - 122.9

Melbourne - $115.9

Brisbane – 116.9

Adelaide – 118.0

Perth – 121.9

Canberra – 123.9

Hobart – 139.9

Darwin – 129.9

7-Eleven service stations created their “Lock in our best local fuel price” app last year which allows users to search for the cheapest (7-Eleven) fuel in their area and lock in the price. You do have to pay up front and the deal holds for 7 days. Have any of our members tried this?

What other tips do you have for saving at the bowse- or don’t you bother? One friend I spoke to says he doesn’t bother looking for cheap fuel when the saving is only around $5. Do you agree?

Useful links:

https://www.fuelcheck.nsw.gov.au/app

https://motormouth.com.au/

http://www.7eleven.com.au/fuel-app

 

Originally posted on .

Join the conversation

FiftyUp Club
Saving Money On Fuel

Share your views with other members. 

Want to leave a comment? or .
Read our moderation policy here.
Someone
Someone from QLD commented:

I use the Motormouth app & I recommend it to customers who come in. I work at a servo & when people ask about fuel prices, I suggest the Motormouth app. 

Peter
Peter from NSW commented:

I use the Motormouth app and the Woolworth's fuel app when traveling. Locally I travel past enough fuel outlets everyday (Woolworth's, 7-Eleven, BP, Shell) to observe the prices and see the trend for myself. Shell is always the dearest. I quite often find the Woolworth's closet to my house is 10cents per litre dearer than the Woolworth's where I work from. A distance of 13kilometres. Even allowing for Woolworth's fuel dockets, it is often cheaper to buy fuel from the BP depot near where I work. 

Carol
Carol from NSW commented:

No cycle in Newcastle NRMA did a big push out Maitland way and now they get some variation but nothing happening closer to the coast. 

Kristy
Kristy from VIC commented:

Why is there a 'cycle'? No one has ever explained that. We just are supposed to accept that the same petrol that was in the tank on Tuesday night is suddenly worth $0.25 more on Wednesday morning. (or whatever days they choose) No other retailers get to do that....for good reason! Imagine if Woolies spent all night Tuesday feverishly increasing prices on everything for Wednesday! Then just as everyone figures out the schedule, they decide to change them on Monday instead. Why is it ok for petrol but not for fruit??? The consumer should not have to make a career out of searching for petrol!! 

ian
ian from VIC commented:

I use Fuel Map to shop around but it relies on us consumers to update the price .It is good in country areas particularly as us grey nomads have more time to update prices .Also directs you to a service station if you are in an area yor don't know Rgds Ian 

Someone
Someone from WA commented:

Hi all In WA we use fuel watch it work's very well, I think I remember when it was offered to the rest of Aus. you did'nt like it I wonder why that was. Steve 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

When will ACCC do its job? 

Someone
Someone from QLD commented:

I don't think anyone understands the fuel cycle except the fuel companies. How does / can the Government work out their % for taxes and excise? Why can't the Government do as Malaysia does, that is the maximum price of fuel for next month is based on the price of oil this month. This price is advised through an app. everyone knows the maximum price, if the want to discount then it is from the suppliers / operators / service station operators, BUT we all know the maximum price, no more 3 or 4 price changes in one day, without additiinal deliveries. We are sick and tired of being ripped off, enough is enough. The other Ken 

Derek
Derek from NSW commented:

so many investigations, so many "we'll look into it" but nothing changes with the price of petrol. While the Govt is raking in huge percentages of the price of petrol it's not in their best interest to force it down to where it should be. REALLY $60 a barrel and we're paying $1.40+ a litre, what a downright scam, we are being ripped off because we have no choice. How do you feel being a victim? not good. Derek BT 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

I would like to know what ACCC cost the tax payer a year to run because they are a complete waste of money fuel should be the same all over Australia it's beats me why they are there 

Comment Guidelines