Johannesburg – Filling an 80-litre petrol tank in South Africa has become almost 13 times more expensive in three decades, with motorists now paying more than R2,000 for what cost less than R165 in 1996.
According to BusinessTech, data from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) shows that inland 93-octane petrol rose from about R2.06 a litre in 1996 to R26.76 in September 2026.
An 80-litre tank therefore cost R164.80 in 1996, compared with R2,140.80 today – a nominal increase of about 1,199%.
Stats SA said: “The R1 per litre mark was reached in November 1985 and increased to R5 two decades later.”
The agency’s historical data shows that fuel prices have repeatedly surged in response to international oil prices, exchange-rate movements and global economic shocks.
In 2008, petrol prices climbed above R10 a litre as crude oil rose above $145 a barrel, before falling sharply during the global financial crisis. Petrol later breached R20 a litre in 2021 and reached another peak in July 2022.
More pressure ahead
The long-term increase comes as motorists face the prospect of another sharp fuel-price increase in October.
The latest Central Energy Fund (CEF) figures were pointing to increases of about R2.66 a litre for 93 petrol and R2.83 for 95 petrol.
Diesel increases of R2.61 and R3.01 a litre were also projected, potentially pushing 0.005% diesel above R33 a litre inland.
More recent data showed the under-recovery had climbed further, reaching R3.01 a litre for 95 petrol and R2.82 for 93 petrol.
If those levels are sustained, 95 petrol could approach R30 a litre when October prices take effect on 7 October.
EWN reported economist Tracey-Lee Solomon warning that the impact could extend beyond motorists, with higher fuel prices putting pressure on transport costs, inflation and already stretched household budgets.
“The longer this continues, the bigger the impact would be on inflation,” Solomon said.
The rising fuel costs are also adding pressure to businesses, which face higher transportation and operating costs that can eventually feed into the prices of goods and services.
Business Day similarly reported that international oil prices and movements in the rand were driving the latest under-recoveries.
For South African motorists, the figures highlight how dramatically the cost of fuel has changed – from a roughly R165 fill-up in 1996 to more than R2,100 for the same 80-litre tank today.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: Pixabay
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
