Official figures — September 2026. These are the confirmed prices published by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), effective Wednesday, 2 September 2026. Petrol 93 and 95 both rose 134 c/l, diesel 500ppm rose 294 c/l, diesel 50ppm rose 315 c/l and illuminating paraffin rose 213 c/l. The previous official prices took effect on 5 August 2026.
Fuel Price Today South Africa: current price
Navigating the volatile landscape of retail fuel costs in South Africa requires access to precise, up-to-date figures. As of the latest monthly adjustment mandated by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), the fuel price today South Africa reflects a broad upward adjustment. Effective from Wednesday, 2 September 2026, motorists across Mzansi face higher prices at the pumps, with diesel rising considerably faster than petrol. These prices sit on a baseline that already carries the full reinstatement of the General Fuel Levy (GFL) by the National Treasury, which added R4.29 per litre to petrol and R4.16 per litre to diesel.
The official prices are categorized strictly by geographical zones—Inland and Coastal—and vary significantly based on your preferred fuel grade.
- 95 Unleaded Petrol (Inland): R26.92 per litre
- 95 Unleaded Petrol (Coastal): R26.05 per litre
- Diesel 0.005% 50ppm Wholesale (Inland): R29.56 per litre
Official Notice: Unlike petrol, which is subject to a strict government-mandated retail price ceiling, diesel prices quoted here represent the official wholesale baseline. Retail fuel stations across South Africa set their own independent margins for diesel, meaning pump prices will vary across individual service stations.
For a complete overview of the foundational framework governing these changes, you can explore our comprehensive guide on fuel price South Africa to understand the historical trend paths.
Latest petrol and fuel price table
To make planning your next trip to the service station as straightforward as possible, the matrix below details the exact regulated costs across all major domestic fuel configurations. These figures represent the verified retail ceiling for petrol and wholesale baselines for alternative fuels for September 2026.
Official Fuel Price Matrix (Effective 2 September 2026)
| Fuel Grade / Type | Inland Price (c/l) | Coastal Price (c/l) | Inland Price (R/l) | Coastal Price (R/l) |
| 93 Unleaded Petrol (ULP) | 2,676.00 c/l | 2,597.00 c/l | R26.76 / L | R25.97 / L |
| 95 Unleaded Petrol (ULP) | 2,692.00 c/l | 2,605.00 c/l | R26.92 / L | R26.05 / L |
| Diesel 0.05% (500 ppm) | 2,911.11 c/l | 2,823.91 c/l | R29.11 / L | R28.24 / L |
| Diesel 0.005% (50 ppm) | 2,955.51 c/l | 2,868.31 c/l | R29.56 / L | R28.68 / L |
| Illuminating Paraffin | 2,089.10 c/l | 1,983.70 c/l | R20.89 / L | R19.84 / L |
| LPGas (Liquefied Gas) | 4,084.00 c/kg | 3,412.00 c/kg | R40.84 / kg | R34.12 / kg |
Data compiled using authorized schedules from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) and DMPR. For immediate cross-referencing against your vehicle’s specifications, please use our interactive utility to calculate fuel cost instantly.
Price change from the previous month
Comparing the current figures with the prior month highlights a clear upward correction that reverses the relief seen earlier in the winter. Motorists tracking the latest fuel price today South Africa will note that diesel carries by far the heaviest share of the September increase.
Monthly Adjustments Breakdown
- 93 Unleaded Petrol: Decreased by 201.00 c/l (R0.96 per litre) from June.
- 95 Unleaded Petrol: Decreased by 196.00 c/l (R1.07 per litre) from June.
- Diesel 0.05% Sulphur: Decreased by 313.80 c/l (R2.71 per litre) wholesale.
- Diesel 0.005% Sulphur: Decreased by 359.00 c/l (R2.92 per litre) wholesale.
- Illuminating Paraffin: Decreased by 523.00 c/l (R1.52 per litre) wholesale.
This upward trend is primarily driven by a tightening in international product pricing, with Brent Crude holding in the upper $80-per-barrel range amid renewed geopolitical tension. A severe global squeeze on diesel refining capacity, worsened by disruption to Russian refinery output and sanctions pressure on Iranian exports, has pushed diesel refining margins sharply higher. That is why diesel rises by close to R3.00 per litre this cycle while petrol moves by R1.34.
Inland vs coastal prices
A common question regarding the current fuel price today South Africa centers on why cost differences exist between inland provinces like Gauteng and coastal regions such as KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, and the Western Cape.
The price variance is entirely due to domestic transport and logistics costs. Because South Africa imports a vast portion of its refined petroleum products via coastal ports, moving that fuel inland via pipelines, rail networks, and road tankers incurs substantial costs.
Key Regional Differences
- The Transport Tariff Factor: The DMPR utilizes a magisterial district pricing zone system. The further an area sits from a primary coastal port or supply hub, the higher the transport tariff built into the local price structure.
- The Price Gap: For September 2026, the retail price gap between Inland and Coastal zones stands at exactly 87.00 c/l for 95 Unleaded Petrol. This means a motorist filling up in Johannesburg pays R0.87 more per litre than someone filling up at a coastal station in Durban or Cape Town.
Petrol grades, diesel and related fuels
Understanding the differences between the various fuel products at South African service stations is key to optimizing performance and managing your fleet expenses.
Petrol Grades: 93 vs 95 Octane
- 93 Unleaded Petrol (ULP): Formulated specifically for vehicles operating at higher altitudes. If you drive inland (e.g., Gauteng, Highveld), most naturally aspirated engines run perfectly on 93 Octane without any loss of efficiency.
- 95 Unleaded Petrol (ULP): Mandated for all coastal driving due to atmospheric pressure dynamics. Inland, it is highly recommended for modern turbocharged or high-performance engines to prevent internal knocking.
Diesel Grade Dynamics: 50ppm vs 500ppm
Unlike the retail-regulated petrol market, diesel pricing is highly competitive. The market is divided by sulphur content, which is critical for fleet longevity:
- 500ppm (0.05% Sulphur): Generally favored by older commercial fleets and heavy machinery agricultural systems. It offers a lower wholesale cost entry point but carries higher emissions.
- 50ppm (0.005% Sulphur): A premium, cleaner-burning compound necessary for modern passenger turbo-diesel engines and advanced commercial trucks. It reduces residue accumulation and helps protect sensitive exhaust systems.
How to use this price information
Knowing the fuel price today South Africa today is most useful when you apply it to practical budgeting tools.
Actionable Next Steps
- Update Logistics Ledger Matrices: Commercial fleet operations should instantly refresh their cost-per-kilometer logs using the latest July wholesale baselines to ensure accurate freight billing.
- Calculate Individual Route Variances: Commuters can easily map out their exact monthly travel expenses. By taking your vehicle’s average consumption rate (e.g., 7.5 litres per 100km) and multiplying it by the localized per-litre pump price, you can accurately forecast your personal transit overheads.
- Cross-Check Service Station Fairness: Since diesel is unregulated at the retail level, use our tables to check your local pump margins. If a station is charging far above the wholesale baseline plus a standard operational markup, it might be worth shopping around.
To seamlessly analyze how these numbers affect your personal routine, consult our live hub of current fuel prices for specialized breakdowns.
Related tools and updates
South African fuel values change at midnight on the first Wednesday of every single month. Staying ahead of these shifts means tracking the underlying financial indicators throughout the month before they become law.
Key Indicators to Monitor
- The Daily CEF Over-/Under-Recovery Metric: Published by the Central Energy Fund, this index indicates whether current daily market forces point to an upcoming increase or decrease.
- The USD/ZAR Exchange Rate: Because crude oil is bought internationally in US Dollars, any sudden strengthening or weakening of the Rand directly impacts local fuel costs.
- Global Brent Crude Spot Prices: Supply shifts across OPEC+ and geopolitical events directly affect the global refinery gate baseline.
Market Warning: Mid-month reports are strictly speculative projections or temporary daily indicators. Do not treat initial media forecasts as final or confirmed until the DMPR releases its official press statements.
Frequently asked questions
When does the fuel price change in South Africa?
Fuel prices in South Africa are adjusted on the first Wednesday of every month. The changes are legally implemented at midnight, following an official announcement by the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources earlier that week.
Why is diesel unregulated while petrol is regulated?
The government regulates retail petrol prices to protect everyday consumers from unfair retail practices. Diesel is left unregulated at the retail level to encourage competition among fuel retailers, allowing commercial transport and agricultural sectors to negotiate bulk discounts.
What is the Slate Levy in the fuel price breakdown?
The Slate Levy is a self-adjusting mechanism used to repay oil companies for imbalances caused by rapid fluctuations in the exchange rate or oil prices during the prior month. If the state under-recovers funds, the levy increases; if an over-recovery accumulates, the levy drops to give relief back to motorists.
Does 95 octane give better fuel mileage than 93 octane inland?
No. If your vehicle’s manual states that it is optimized for 93 octane, filling up with 95 octane while inland will not provide extra mileage or performance advantages. It simply results in a higher cost per fill-up.