Saving Money On Fuel
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
http://www.7eleven.com.au/fuel-app
