In just one year the price of diesel has outpaced general CPI inflation by 12.5%.
Image: Supplied
It probably feels like yesterday that you could put a few hundred rand in your tank and actually see the needle move. But since the war in the Middle East erupted earlier this year and the Strait of Hormuz became a household name that nobody wants to hear, fuel costs have seemingly gone through the roof.
This has implications for all aspects of our lives, not just commuting, as transport costs have a direct impact on the price of almost all goods that we consume.
September saw South African petrol prices climb by R1.34 and diesel by up to R3.15. But how much have fuel prices changed in the past year? Or five for that matter? The numbers paint a sobering picture.
As at September 2026, a litre of 95 Unleaded costs R26.05 at the coast, but a year ago that same litre cost R20.72. That’s 25.7% in the space of one year, which is almost six times the most recent CPI (general inflation rate) figure of 4.3%. Going back a further four years shows fuel has increased by R8.43 since September 2021, when it cost R17.62 at the coast.
How fuel has gone up: a sobering illustration.
Image: ChatGPT
93 Unleaded petrol in Gauteng, for the record, has increased from R18.15 in September 2021 to R21.47 in 2025 and R26.76 in 2026.
Filling your tank with 40 litres of 95 Unleaded has increased from R828 exactly one year ago to R1,042 today.
The diesel picture is even bleaker, with 50ppm currently commanding a wholesale price of R28.79, before the retail margins - which are variable - have been worked in. In the space of one year, that figure has risen by over R10, from R18.71, which is an increase of 53.8%, outpacing general inflation by 12.5%. In five years, the price of diesel has almost doubled from its level of R14.92 in September 2021.
But let this sink in. In just one year, the cost of a 70-litre diesel refuel has increased by over R700!
Diesel 500 increased from R14.87 to R28.24 in that five-year period.
Brandon Cohen, Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA), says the latest fuel price increases were a huge cause for concern from an inflationary perspective.
“These increases will place further pressure on household budgets and raise operating and distribution costs across the economy,” Cohen said.
The sharp increase in diesel prices will affect the cost of transporting almost every category of goods, from food to other essential items. It may also add to inflationary pressure, potentially presenting the SA Reserve Bank with difficult decisions on whether to hold or increase interest rates at its next MPC meeting.
“This will place even more strain on South Africans who are already under severe financial pressure,” Cohen added.
Dewald Ranft, National Chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), says rising fuel prices are a good reminder that driving habits can make a meaningful difference to running costs.
“Every kilometre counts when fuel prices are rising,” says Ranft. “Motorists cannot control what happens to the price at the pump, but they can make sure their vehicle is operating as efficiently as possible and that they are not wasting fuel unnecessarily.”
He says motorists should not be tempted by so-called fuel-saving devices that promise dramatic reductions in fuel consumption.
“There is no magic device that can suddenly transform a vehicle’s fuel consumption.”
He says regular maintenance can make a difference, along with good habits such as avoiding harsh acceleration and frequent changes in speed. Checking tyre pressures regularly, keeping wheels correctly aligned, avoiding unnecessary idling and planning trips more smartly can also make a difference.
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