Sydney's whopping 38 cent Easter petrol price gap

By Peter Khoury on 11 April 2017
Sydney's petrol prices have spiked in time for the Easter long weekend, with average prices for regular unleaded reaching $1.34 per litre and a massive 38 cent price gap between the cheapest and most expensive service stations.

Average prices jumped more than 20 cents per litre over the last week and are expected to remain high over the long weekend.

According to the my nrma app, with real-time petrol data across NSW, there are still cheap service stations across Sydney.

Regular unleaded can be bought for $1.07 at the Caltex in Croydon. By contrast, there are also a number of service stations across the city now selling petrol for $1.40.

Motorists driving a typical family sedan could save $15 on a tank of petrol by filling up at the cheapest service station this long weekend.

NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said with such a huge gap between prices in Sydney over the long weekend, motorists should shop around or risk being over-charged almost 40 cents a litre before heading away.

"Prices have hit hard before Easter but there are still bargains to be found with a number of service stations in Sydney on or below $1.10 – so the key is to shop around," Mr Khoury said.

"People angry about this holiday price hike are no longer helpless – a quick check on the my nrma app can tell you which service stations to avoid. Major oil companies have the right to charge what they want and now we have the power to drive straight past them."

Analysis conducted by the NRMA has also found that the price gap between E10 and Premium 98 has increased to over 21 cents, or an additional four cents since 2012. This is the highest in five years.

The NRMA is encouraging motorists to reconsider purchasing premium fuels, unless specified by your vehicle manufacturer.

"Current profit margins for premium grade fuels are high and getting higher and the NRMA is concerned that too many motorists are buying these more expensive fuels thinking they are getting value for money and better performance, when often they're not," Mr Khoury said.

"Petrol is a grudge purchase for most families and this Easter we don't want our Members subjecting themselves to more pain at the bowser than necessary."