July 2026 pump prices
The interactive fill-up cost calculator has moved to the current fuel prices page, where it runs on this month's prices.
The July ceasefire did not hold. Renewed US strikes on Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz again in mid-July, and Russian diesel export restrictions pushed international diesel product prices sharply higher. Petrol held roughly flat only because government cut the slate levy by 52.56c/l. See the current month →
What changed in July 2026
July 2026 delivered the biggest across-the-board fuel price cut in recent years. Petrol 93 fell R2.01/l, petrol 95 fell R1.96/l, and diesel dropped R3.14/l (500ppm) and R3.59/l (50ppm) — despite the government adding the last portion of the fuel levy back onto the price.
The driver was the international market. The US–Iran ceasefire and reopened Strait of Hormuz sent Brent crude from an average of $104.59 to $86.53 per barrel over the review period, while the rand strengthened slightly to R16.38 to the dollar.
Motorists didn't get the full benefit because National Treasury's emergency fuel levy relief was completely phased out in July — the full general fuel levy of R4.29/l on petrol and R4.16/l on diesel returned to the price from 1 July. The slate levy also moved in consumers' favour, decreasing from 157.74c/l to 113.94c/l.
In July, a 60-litre tank of petrol 95 cost R1,566.00 inland — R117.60 less than in June 2026. A 70-litre diesel tank (typical Hilux or Fortuner) cost roughly R1,734.60 at the wholesale reference price — down about R219.80 from June.
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 that debt gradually. As of end-May 2026, the cumulative slate balance was negative R13.32 billion. Because the balance improved, the slate levy decreased in July — from R1.5774/l to R1.1394/l. It was cut again in August, to 61.38c/l.
The government's emergency fuel levy relief was completely removed from 1 July 2026, putting the full general fuel levy back in the price: R4.29/l on petrol and R4.16/l on diesel. With no relief buffer left, pump prices from August onwards track the international market, the rand and the slate levy directly.
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 | R27.95/l | ▲ R1.43 | R27.92/l | ▼ R3.25 |
| July 2026 ← this article | R25.94/l | ▼ R2.01 | R24.78/l | ▼ R3.14 |
| August 2026 | R25.42/l | ▼ R0.52 | R26.17/l | ▲ R1.38 |
Table shows petrol 93 inland and diesel 500ppm inland as the primary reference grades. May diesel figure reflects the R5.27/l increase effective 6 May 2026. July figures are the official DMPR prices effective 1 July 2026; diesel is the wholesale reference price. August 2026 shown for context — see the current fuel prices page.
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 July 2026 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 R0.16/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 at July 2026 prices: 1,500 km/month ÷ 100 × 8.5 L/100km × R25.94 = R3,307/month in fuel. Run the same sum with this month's price for a current figure.
The biggest cut in years — and it stuck despite the full levy coming back
Petrol down ~R2/l and diesel down more than R3/l in a single month, even with tax added back. The catch: all the levy relief padding was gone, so any renewed oil price spike would feed straight through to the pump. That is exactly what happened to diesel in August.
Where to find current prices
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 prices on this page were superseded on Wednesday 5 August 2026.
For this month's official prices, the inland vs coastal breakdown and the fill-up cost calculator, see SA fuel prices — current petrol and diesel cost per litre, which is updated on the day of each DMPR announcement.
Get your free 60-point inspection PDF
The complete RSA Vehicle Guide checklist — every check, every red flag, printed and ready to take to any vehicle viewing.
The RSA Vehicle Guide inspection system covers 60 checks across exterior, engine bay, interior, underbody, test drive and documents — each with red flags, SA repair costs and walk-away triggers.
Get the Complete Inspection Guide Bundle — R299 →