Current pump prices
Forecast only — based on CEF mid-month tracking. Final July price announced first Wednesday of July. Note: the remaining 50% of fuel levy relief expires on 1 July, returning the general fuel levy to its full baseline (R4.10/l petrol, R3.93/l diesel). The forecast above already accounts for this reintroduction.
What changed in June 2026
June 2026 was a split decision. Petrol prices rose sharply — up R1.43/l on both 93 and 95 — while diesel prices fell significantly, dropping R3.25/l on 500ppm. The divergence was driven by two opposing forces hitting at the same time.
Internationally, diesel (a middle distillate) benefits from lower seasonal demand as the northern hemisphere moves into summer, pushing its price down. Petrol refining margins, by contrast, remained elevated. The result: diesel over-recovered while petrol under-recovered against the regulated import cost.
At the same time, National Treasury partially rolled back the emergency fuel levy relief introduced in April–May 2026. From 3 June, the levy relief was halved — the petrol levy relief dropped from R3.00 to R1.50/l, and diesel relief dropped from R3.93 to R1.96/l. For diesel, the international market drop was large enough to absorb the levy increase and still deliver a price cut. For petrol, the levy increase dominated, pushing prices higher despite a modest international over-recovery.
A 60-litre tank of petrol 95 now costs R1,683.60 — R85.80 more than in May 2026. A 70-litre diesel tank (typical Hilux or Fortuner) costs R1,954.40 — down R227.50 from May. Bakkie and diesel SUV owners are better off; petrol hatchback and sedan owners face another squeeze.
How SA fuel prices are set
South Africa uses a regulated fuel pricing system. Prices are set by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), announced in the last week of each month, and take effect on the first Wednesday of the following month.
The calculation combines three components: the Basic Fuel Price (BFP), which reflects the international import cost of refined fuel plus shipping; government levies (general fuel levy, Road Accident Fund levy, customs and excise); and the slate levy, which recovers historical under-recoveries across the industry.
Petrol 93 is the standard grade for most of SA. Petrol 95 is required on the coast (Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal) because higher altitude inland areas require a lower-octane fuel at the same combustion ratio. The coast requires 95. Most inland vehicles run perfectly on 93. Never put 93 in a turbocharged or high-compression engine that specifies 95.
The slate levy explained
The slate levy is unique to SA's pricing structure. It exists because the regulated price can fall below the actual import cost of fuel, creating a "negative slate" — effectively a debt owed to fuel importers. The slate levy is a mechanism to recover this debt gradually. As of end-April 2026, the cumulative slate balance was negative R18.28 billion, which is why the slate levy increased from R1.2270/l to R1.5774/l in June.
The remaining 50% of the government's emergency fuel levy relief expires on 1 July 2026. The general fuel levy will return to its full baseline: R4.10/l for petrol and R3.93/l for diesel. Based on current CEF tracking, the international market over-recovery is large enough to absorb this tax increase and still deliver lower pump prices in July — but this is subject to Rand/Dollar movements and oil price changes before month-end.
Recent price history — petrol 93
| Month | Petrol 93 | Change | Diesel 500ppm | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | R23.30/l | — | R22.15/l | — |
| March 2026 | R24.85/l | ▲ R1.55 | R23.90/l | ▲ R1.75 |
| April 2026 | R26.52/l | ▲ R1.67 | R25.44/l | ▲ R1.54 |
| May 2026 | R26.52/l | — (relief applied) | R31.17/l | ▲ R5.27 |
| June 2026 ← current | R27.95/l | ▲ R1.43 | R27.92/l | ▼ R3.25 |
| July 2026 (forecast) | ~R25.40/l | ▼ ~R2.54 | ~R23.24/l | ▼ ~R4.68 |
Table shows petrol 93 coastal and diesel 500ppm as the primary reference grades. May diesel figure reflects the R5.27/l increase effective 6 May 2026. July figures are mid-month CEF forecasts, not official prices.
How fuel costs affect your car purchase decision
Running costs are one of the most underestimated factors in the total cost of ownership calculation for South African car buyers. At current prices, the difference between a 7L/100km petrol hatchback and a 10L/100km V6 SUV is roughly R500–R800 per month in fuel alone, depending on monthly kilometres driven.
When evaluating a used car purchase, factor in:
- Average fuel consumption (L/100km) from manufacturer specs — add 10–15% for real-world SA driving
- Petrol vs diesel: diesel is currently cheaper per litre but diesel engines cost more to maintain and repair
- Tank size: a larger tank means fewer fill-ups but higher cash outlay per fill
- Turbocharged engines: most require 95 octane, which is R0.11/l more expensive than 93
- Monthly kilometre estimate × L/100km ÷ 100 × current price = monthly fuel budget
Monthly km ÷ 100 × consumption (L/100km) × fuel price per litre = monthly fuel cost. Example: 1,500 km/month ÷ 100 × 8.5 L/100km × R27.95 = R3,568/month in fuel.
Diesel owners got relief, petrol owners got squeezed — July should reverse the trend
The June divergence was unusual. Most months move both grades in the same direction. For July, the international market is pointing to meaningful cuts on both petrol and diesel — but the remaining levy reintroduction on 1 July adds uncertainty. Watch the CEF mid-month data in the third week of June for a clearer read.
When is the next fuel price announcement?
South Africa's fuel price cycle follows a fixed pattern: the DMPR publishes the official adjustment in the last week of each month, with the new price taking effect on the first Wednesday of the following month. The July 2026 announcement is expected around 25–28 June 2026, with prices effective from Wednesday 2 July 2026.
This page is updated on the day of each official DMPR announcement. Bookmark it and check back on the first Wednesday of each month.
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