Perth motorists could be paying about $670 extra for petrol a year, with fuel prices set to hit an historic high of 199.9 cents a litre tomorrow.
According to Fuelwatch, some Caltex Woolworths, Caltex/Ampol, BP and Coles Express retailers will be selling unleaded 91 at 199.9 cents a litre, marking the most expensive day of Perth’s fortnightly fuel cycle.
RAC Manager Vehicles and Fuels Alex Forrest said the new petrol price record is a huge blow for motorists.
“Western Australians have already been grappling with sky-rocketing petrol prices for months, with fuel now taking-up an even bigger slice of the household budget,” Mr Forrest said.
“Seeing prices reach $2 a litre at the bowser is alarming. If it becomes the norm, the average Perth motorist will be forking out an extra $670 a year just to get around our city, or even more for drivers travelling long distances.”
In October 2021, Perth’s petrol price cycle switched from weekly to fortnightly, making every second Tuesday the ‘cheapest’ day to fill-up.
“Wholesale prices have been rising for over a year and fuel retailers have been passing that onto motorists, plus a gross average margin of 27 cents a litre at the top of the price cycle,” Mr Forrest said.
“For every 1 cent petrol prices rise, an additional $19.2 million goes from motorists' pockets into the revenue streams of petrol companies per year.
“Fuel is a constant and unavoidable expense for most households and it’s time fuel retailers put Western Australians first instead of boosting their bottom lines.”
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Media contact: Caitlin Barr, 0401 703 719 or media@rac.com.au
