R344 petrol price pain for South Africa
In just one year, petrol prices in South Africa have skyrocketed, adding R8.62 per litre to the cost of filling up, and increasing the bill for a 40-litre tank by over R344.
In October 2025, inland 93-octane petrol was already high at R21.48 per litre, but by October 2026, it surged to R29.88 per litre, an alarming jump of R8.40.
Inland 95-octane petrol reflects a similar trend, starting at R21.63 per litre last year and climbing to R30.25 per litre this year, which means an increase of R8.62.
Inland 0.05% wholesale diesel saw the most significant increase, moving from R19.34 per litre in October 2025 to R31.95 per litre in October 2026. This marked a rise of R12.61 per litre.
This steep rise in fuel prices has strained the budgets of car owners across the country.
In anticipation of fuel price hikes, various sectors of the economy called for direct government intervention, specifically advocating for a reduction in fuel levies, similar to the cuts implemented in April 2026.
However, the National Treasury has previously stated that pursuing such an option would incur its own costs.
The intervention in April resulted in a budget deficit of over R17 billion, which would need to be recovered from other areas.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has also emphasised that the budget cannot protect motorists from every external price increase.
September was a challenging month for fuel prices, as escalating conflicts in the Middle East pushed oil prices above $100 per barrel, where they remained for much of the month.
Petrol and diesel drivers will face significant price hikes starting Wednesday, with petrol rising by R3.12 and R3.33 per litre, and diesel by R2.84 and R3.24 per litre.
Inland fuel price per litre comparison in 2025 and 2026
| Fuel grade | October 2025 price | October 2026 price | Price increase / litre |
| 93 Petrol (Inland) | R21.48 | R29.88 | +R8.40 |
| 95 Petrol (Inland) | R21.63 | R30.25 | +R8.62 |
| Diesel 0.05% Wholesale (Inland) | R19.34 | R31.95 | +R12.61 |
In South Africa, 40 to 45-litre tanks are typically found in small hatchbacks and compact passenger cars and 60-litre tanks are commonly associated with medium sedans and SUVs.
For larger SUVs and bakkies, 80-litre tanks are standard.
The cost of filling a 40-litre tank with 93-octane petrol was R859.20 in October 2025, compared to R1,195.20 in October 2026, making each fill-up R336.00 more expensive.
Filling a 40-litre tank with 95-octane petrol increased from R865.20 in October 2025 to R1,210.00 in October 2026, adding an extra R344.80 to each fill-up.
For inland 0.05% diesel, the cost to fill a 40-litre tank jumped from R773.60 in October 2025 to R1,278.00 in October 2026, resulting in an increase of R504.40 per fill-up.
Filling a 60-litre tank with 93-octane petrol cost R1,288.80 in October 2025 and rose to R1,792.80 in October 2026, an increase of R504.00.
The cost of filling a 60-litre tank with 95-octane petrol rose from R1,297.80 in October 2025 to R1,815.00 in October 2026, an increase of R517.20 per tank.
The cost of filling a 60-litre tank with 0.05% diesel rose from R1,160.40 in October 2025 to R1,917.00 in October 2026, an increase of R756.60 per fill-up.
Full tank cost comparison (40L vs 60L tanks)
| Fuel grade and tank capacity | October 2025 cost | October 2026 cost | Year-on-Year increase |
| 93 Petrol — 40L | R859.20 | R1,195.20 | +R336.00 |
| 93 Petrol — 60L | R1,288.80 | R1,792.80 | +R504.00 |
| 95 Petrol — 40L | R865.20 | R1,210.00 | +R344.80 |
| 95 Petrol — 60L | R1,297.80 | R1,815.00 | +R517.20 |
| Diesel 0.05% — 40L | R773.60 | R1,278.00 | +R504.40 |
| Diesel 0.05% — 60L | R1,160.40 | R1,917.00 | +R756.60 |
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