Fuel prices across the
board are projected to decrease significantly in December, according to
unaudited mid-month data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF). The Automobile
Association (AA) says the decreases will add further relief to struggling
consumers, especially ahead of the end of the year, and the expected increase
in traffic on major holiday routes.
Based on the current data
from the CEF, consumers can expect a decrease of around R1.06/litre for ULP 95,
R1.05/l for ULP 93, and a massive decrease of around R2.10/l for diesel. Illuminating
paraffin is also expected to drop by around and R1.75/l.
“The current data is
showing that international product prices have eased since the beginning of the
month and are contributing to the bulk of the expected decreases. The stronger
value of the Rand against the US Dollar is also playing its part and is
combining with the more stable oil prices to ensure South Africans can look
forward to lower fuel prices in December,” says the AA.
Based on these numbers, ULP
95 inland could drop to around R22.17/l, and R22.05 at the coast marking the
lowest pricing for this fuel since February. The expected drop in the diesel
price will bring this fuel cost down to around R22.15/l, higher than its August
pricing of R20.21/l but cheaper than its September pricing of R23.05/l.
“South Africans planning
long journeys for their end-of-year holidays will, no doubt, be extremely happy
with this news, as will consumers who suffer when particularly diesel prices
increase,” says the AA.
To further benefit from the
lower fuel prices, the Association urges motorists to ensure their vehicles are
in good mechanical condition, and that their tyres are in a good state and
inflated according to manufacturer’s specifications.
“Planning for a long
journey during the December/January break should begin now and should include a
complete once-over of your vehicle to ensure it is ready for a long trip. In
addition to keeping your vehicle in good condition, we also urge all road users
to ensure their state of mind is equally ready to share the road with other
road users and to play their part in keeping our roads safe this festive
season,” concludes the AA.
Adjusted fuel prices for
December come into effect on 6 December.
