By Brendan Rees
Motorists are feeling the pain as fuel prices across Casey top $1.75 a litre – hitting a three-month high.
“The average price for a litre of unleaded across Melbourne today is just under $1.65, but the majority of retailers are selling at $1.60. Cheaper petrol is available, as low as $1.31, but motorists will need to search to find it,” RACV spokesperson Brodie Bott said.
“Sometimes the best way for motorists to avoid petrol price pain is to shop around; use a price comparison app or website to find the best deal. If you’re heading away check the prices along the way, sometimes the best deals are found on your route or in regional centres outside of Melbourne.”
According to website Petrol Spy the price for regular unleaded fuel in Cranbourne, Berwick, Lyndhurst, Hampton Park and Devon Meadows is between $1.41 and $175.9 cents a litre.
CommSec’s senior economist Ryan Felsman said rising international crude oil prices was likely to increase pump prices.
“Automotive fuel prices have already lifted by around 5.5 per cent in the December quarter and are expected to show up in the inflation data scheduled for release on January 29,” he said.
“A combination of the ending of the current retail petrol price discounting cycle and rising international crude oil prices (Australia is a net importer of refined petroleum) are likely to push pump prices in the coming weeks,” he added.
Mr Felsman said drivers can shop around for the cheapest fuel by downloading apps on their smart phones – such as MotorMouth and RACV.
