Independent fuel retailers have again offered Perth motorists the lowest ULP prices in 2019, making up all but one of the positions in the top ten table of the cheapest sites.

FuelWatch data reveals that, for the second year running, the cheapest site in the Perth metropolitan area was FastFuel 24/7 in Forrestfield with an average ULP price of 130.2 cents per litre (cpl), closely followed by United in Bassendean with 130.5 cpl and Caltex Woolworths in South Lake coming third with 131.2 cpl. FastFuel 24/7 was also the cheapest metro diesel retailer for the second year in a row, selling for an annual average of 137.1 cpl.

However, Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard said motorists still shouldn’t be loyal to any particular brand or site.

“Brand or site loyalty could mean you’re paying too much as prices can fluctuate from suburb to suburb and from day to day,” Mr Hillyard said.

“For example, there are four United sites in the cheapest top ten list, yet another United site appears in our table of top ten most expensive so, rather than shopping by brand alone, we recommend always checking with FuelWatch to get the best price in your area.”

“The weekly petrol cycle is still in operation which means that you should try to fill up on Sundays or Mondays when, on average, prices are the lowest and avoid Tuesdays and Wednesdays when, on average, prices are the highest.”

“FuelWatch estimates that by buying petrol at the cheapest site each time, instead of the most expensive, motorists could save up to $870 a year if they fill up every week.”

The average price for ULP for 2019 was 140.2 cpl, slightly lower than the previous year but much higher than the 2015-2017 figures.

“International prices were volatile this year, kept high by oil-producing countries cutting production as well as sanctions on Iran and Venezuela. The value of the Australian dollar against the US dollar is also a factor and 2019 saw a seven percent drop compared to 2018 resulting in higher local prices than had the exchange been at parity,” the Commissioner said.

“Downward pressure on prices included the global economic slowdown, the US-China trade dispute and surplus global supplies lead by high US shale oil production.”

“Perth’s prices generally follow movements in Singapore’s refined petrol prices with a lag of up to two weeks.  This benchmark has been trending downwards over the past week and, as a result, the short-term outlook is for local prices to decrease slightly.”

Visits to the smartphone-friendly FuelWatch website averaged more than a million per month in 2019 with WA motorists using the service to determine where they fill up and to save money.

“Those going on a road trip for the holidays can use the FuelWatch trip planner to determine the cheapest places to fill up on route.”

Fuel price information is available at www.fuelwatch.wa.gov.au and, after 2.30pm each day, motorists can compare both today’s and tomorrow’s prices. Email alerts can also be sent out daily or motorists can call 1300 30 40 54.

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Media Contact: Alan Hynd, (08) 6552 9248 / 0429 078 791 alan.hynd@demirs.wa.gov.au  

 

Top 10 cheapest unleaded petrol sites in Perth for 2019:

Cheapest metropolitan ULP retailers for 2019 by region:

Top 10 most expensive unleaded petrol sites in Perth for 2019: