South African Motorists Saving Up to R63 at the Pump Compared to February
Motorists throughout South Africa are experiencing considerable relief at the pumps, as the cost of filling a tank is now up to R63 lower than it was just two months ago.
Following a steep fuel price increase in February, the latest adjustments made in April have helped ease the burden on drivers, bringing fuel prices back in line with pre-hike levels.
A Promising Start to the Quarter
In February, the petrol price for 95 octane soared to R22.41 per litre after an 82c per litre hike. March brought only marginal relief with a meagre 7c decrease. However, April saw a far more substantial cut of 72c per litre, nearly reversing the February spike.
While the net change still leaves fuel prices 3c per litre higher than before the hike, the noticeable drop from February levels has offered welcome relief for South African road users.
How Much Are You Saving?
The table below illustrates just how much you’re saving based on your vehicle’s tank size:
| Tank Size | Cost in Feb 2025 (R22.41) | Cost in Apr 2025 (R21.62) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 litres | R672.30 | R648.60 | – R23.70 |
| 40 litres | R896.40 | R864.80 | – R31.60 |
| 50 litres | R1,120.50 | R1,081.00 | – R39.50 |
| 60 litres | R1,344.60 | R1,297.20 | – R47.40 |
| 70 litres | R1,568.70 | R1,513.40 | – R55.30 |
| 80 litres | R1,792.80 | R1,729.60 | – R63.20 |
Owners of larger vehicles like bakkies and SUVs are benefitting most in rand terms, but even those driving compact cars will feel the positive impact, especially with frequent refueling.
What’s Behind the Drop?
Several key factors contributed to the recent price drop. Most notably, the price of Brent Crude oil fell from $74.89 to $71.04 per barrel in March, due to increased output from non-OPEC countries. OPEC is also expected to ramp up production in April, which could lead to further reductions in oil prices globally.
Currency exchange fluctuations have also played a role. In March, the rand strengthened slightly against the US dollar, improving from R18.50 to R18.30. However, this trend reversed sharply following the announcement of new global tariffs by US President Donald Trump, sending the rand down to R19.58.
Looking Ahead
While April brought relief, May could be a different story. Data from the Central Energy Fund indicates that petrol 95 could rise by 9c per litre next month, with petrol 93 potentially climbing by 15c. These predictions hinge on the strength of the rand and the stability of global oil supply.
For now, though, South African motorists can enjoy a brief but welcome break from escalating fuel costs.
The article first appeared on Top Auto.
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