The latest data points to a smaller petrol price hike in March 2025 than was earlier anticipated – and a possible drop in the cost of diesel.
But things could still go either way …
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As reported by The South African website, vehicle owners in Mzansi saw a massive increase in the cost of both petrol and diesel in the first week of the month.
This was due to a combination of the rand depreciating against the dollar and the price of oil continuing to rise thanks to ongoing unrest in the Middle East.
Below, the latest projections as received by The South African website from the Central Energy Fund (CEF), effective Tuesday, 18 February.
| FUEL | PRICE CHANGE |
| Petrol 93 | increase of 20 cents |
| Petrol 95 | increase of 7 cents |
| Diesel 0.05% | decrease of 2 cents |
| Diesel 0.005% | decrease of 9 cents |
| Illuminating Paraffin | increase of 10 cents |
If the market conditions were to remain consistent for the remainder of the month – an unlikely scenario with the rand/dollar exchange rate fluctuating and the oil price ever changing – an increase of 20 cents is expected for petrol 93 octane motorists and an increase of seven cents for 95 users.
Meanwhile, diesel motorists would see something between a two and nine cents per litre increase.
Finally, illuminating paraffin is expected to increase by 10 cents.
FUEL PRICE IN SOUTH AFRICA IMPACTED BY TWO MAIN FACTORS:
1. The international price of petroleum products, driven mainly by oil prices
2. The rand/dollar exchange rate used in the purchase of these products
Oil price
At the time of publishing the brent crude oil price is $76.46 a barrel.
Exchange rate
At the time of publishing the rand/dollar exchange rate is R18.42/$.
The final overall price changes for both petrol and diesel will be confirmed early next month with the new prices taking effect at midnight on Tuesday, 4 March 2025.
Go easy on the accelerator until then, Mzansi.
The current February 2025 petrol and diesel prices (Inland and Coastal):
| INLAND | February |
| Petrol 93 | R22.16 |
| Petrol 95 | R22.41 |
| Diesel 0.05% | R20.34 |
| Diesel 0.005% | R20.45 |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R14.23 |
| COASTAL | February |
| Petrol 93 | R21.37 |
| Petrol 95 | R21.62 |
| Diesel 0.05% | R19.55 |
| Diesel 0.005% | R19.69 |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R13.23 |
Do you know of any useful ways to help save on fuel prices?
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