Why you should stop what you’re doing and fill up your vehicle NOW

South Africa’s motorists have just hours left to fill up at cheaper prices before a major fuel price increase kicks in at midnight.

From Wednesday, 2 September, both grades of petrol will become R1.34 per litre more expensive, while diesel prices will jump by around R3 per litre.

The latest increases have been confirmed by the Central Energy Fund (CEF) and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.

For motorists who need to refuel, filling up before midnight on Tuesday, 1 September could mean avoiding the full impact of Wednesday’s increases.

Fuel	Increase
Petrol 93	R1.34/litre
Petrol 95	R1.34/litre
Diesel 0.05%	R2.93/litre
Diesel 0.005%	R3.15/litre
Illuminating paraffin	R2.13/litre

How much can you save?

The difference becomes significant when filling a larger tank.

For example, putting 50 litres of petrol into a vehicle before the increase takes effect will save approximately R67 compared with filling the same tank after midnight.

For diesel motorists, the saving is even greater.

A 50-litre fill of 0.005% sulphur diesel before the increase would save approximately R157.50 compared with the new price.

For a 60-litre tank, the difference rises to about R80.40 for petrol and R188.40 for 0.005% sulphur diesel.

Why are fuel prices increasing?

The latest adjustment follows a sharp increase in international petroleum product prices during the CEF’s review period.

International prices for petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin rose substantially between 31 July and 27 August.

The stronger rand provided some relief, with the average exchange rate improving from R16.4554 to R16.2139 to the US dollar.

However, the currency gains were not enough to offset the surge in international fuel prices.

Slate levy adds to the pain

Another major factor behind the increase is the slate levy.

The combined cumulative petrol and diesel slate balance stood at a negative R9.519 billion at the end of July.

As a result, the slate levy increases from 61.38 cents to 83.28 cents per litre from Wednesday.

That represents an additional 21.90 cents per litre on both petrol and diesel.

The slate mechanism is used to account for accumulated under-recoveries when the revenue collected through fuel prices does not cover the costs reflected in the Basic Fuel Price.

Petrol margin also rises

Petrol motorists will also face a 4.9-cent-per-litre increase in the retail margin.

The Department said this adjustment accommodates wage increases for service-station employees, including pump attendants, cashiers and administrative staff.

Once all the various components are taken into account, both petrol grades increase by R1.34 per litre.

Diesel motorists face the biggest hit

Diesel users are facing the largest increases.

The price of 0.05% sulphur diesel rises by R2.939 per litre, while 0.005% sulphur diesel increases by R3.149 per litre.

The latter will push the wholesale price of 0.005% sulphur diesel above R30 per litre in Gauteng.

The increase will not only affect diesel vehicle owners but could also have wider consequences for businesses and industries that depend heavily on diesel-powered transport, machinery and equipment.

More increases for paraffin and LPGas

The price pain extends beyond petrol and diesel.

The wholesale price of illuminating paraffin rises by R2.13 per litre, while its Single Maximum National Retail Price increases by R2.84 per litre.

The maximum retail price of LPGas also rises by 69 cents per kilogram.

All of the new prices take effect from Wednesday, 2 September, and will remain in place until the next monthly adjustment.

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 $92.59 a barrel.

Exchange rate

At the time of publishing the rand/dollar exchange rate is R16.09/$.

New September 2026 petrol and diesel prices (Inland and Coastal):

INLAND	August	September
Petrol 93	R25.42	R26.76
Petrol 95	R25.58	R26.92
Diesel 0.05%	R26.16	R29.09
Diesel 0.005%	R26.90	R30.04
Illuminating Paraffin	R18.76	R20.89

COASTAL	August	September
Petrol 93	R24.63	R25.97
Petrol 95	R24.71	R26.05
Diesel 0.05%	R25.29	R28.22
Diesel 0.005%	R25.64	R28.78
Illuminating Paraffin	R17.71	R19.84