South Australian motorists are collectively saving an estimated $55 million a year by checking real-time petrol prices and shopping around before filling up, according to new RAA data.
The latest figures suggest motorists who compare prices are saving around 10 cents a litre on average, equating to roughly $6.50 on a typical tank.
And with petrol prices under pressure, more South Australians appear to be reaching for their phones before heading to the bowser.
According to RAA’s latest fuel report, 33 per cent of drivers surveyed said they had increased their use of fuel price apps in the months since conflict in the Middle East pushed up global oil prices.
International benchmark prices and the Australian dollar are among the factors affecting local petrol prices, with the State Government’s fuel security website noting global oil prices have risen significantly since the conflict began and remain volatile.
South Australia’s real-time fuel pricing scheme allows motorists to compare prices and availability across service stations through apps and websites including the RAA app, Petrol Spy, Motor Mouth, SA Bowser: Should I Fuel? and ServoTrack.
Under the scheme, service stations must report a price change or a fuel type becoming unavailable to a central database within 30 minutes.
That information is then made available through participating fuel price apps, giving motorists a chance to compare nearby servos before deciding where to fill up.
The rules have also recently become much more expensive for service stations that fail to comply.
From July 30th, expiation fees for failing to report price or availability changes within the required timeframe increased from $550 to $5,000, while the maximum court-imposed penalty doubled to $20,000.
Consumer and Business Services is now planning another statewide compliance blitz this week, ahead of the AFL Grand Final when an increase in South Australians driving to Melbourne is expected.
The State Government says around 1,500 inspections have been carried out since March, with almost $20,000 in expiations issued across metropolitan and regional service stations.
Earlier enforcement action identified breaches ranging from incorrect prices appearing on the real-time system to fuel being listed as available when it had sold out. CBS has previously published the service stations issued expiation notices as part of the crackdown.
CBS Commissioner Brett Humphrey said, “Even now, there can still be something like a ten cent difference in petrol prices, which is why it’s so important to check the apps before you fill up.
“It’s also why it’s so important that petrol stations live up to their legal responsibilities by ensuring any pricing or availability changes are registered within half an hour – to ensure motorists are getting up to date, accurate information.”
RAA Fuel Expert Peter Nattress said, “A significant 33 per cent of drivers have started using real time fuel pricing more since the Middle East conflict saw global oil prices spike. This confirms real time fuel pricing is being embraced by motorists to help save on fuel.”
Motorists who spot a price or fuel availability discrepancy can also report the service station to Consumer and Business Services.
