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.
Quick Answer: Current Petrol Price in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)
As of the latest official monthly fuel price adjustment by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, the official coastal fuel prices applying to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) are:
- 95 Unleaded Petrol (ULP): R26.05 per litre
- 93 Unleaded Petrol (ULP): R25.97 per litre
- Diesel 0.005% (50 ppm): R28.68 per litre (wholesale price; retail prices vary by service station)
- Diesel 0.05% (500 ppm): R25.29 per litre (wholesale price; retail prices vary by service station)
Because Port Elizabeth is a coastal port city, motorists pay significantly less for petrol than inland drivers in cities like Johannesburg and Pretoria, saving approximately 87 cents per litre due to the absence of inland fuel transport tariffs.
Current Petrol and Diesel Prices in Port Elizabeth
Fuel prices in South Africa are updated on the first Wednesday of every month. Below is the full price breakdown for Port Elizabeth and surrounding areas in Nelson Mandela Bay:
| Fuel Type | Coastal Price (Port Elizabeth) | Inland Price (Reef / Gauteng) | Price Savings at Coast |
| 95 Unleaded Petrol (ULP) | R26.05 / litre | R26.92 / litre | ~R0.87 / litre cheaper |
| 93 Unleaded Petrol (ULP) | R25.97 / litre | R26.76 / litre | ~R0.79 / litre cheaper |
| Diesel 50 ppm (Wholesale) | R28.68 / litre | R26.40 / litre | ~R0.76 / litre cheaper |
| Diesel 500 ppm (Wholesale) | R25.29 / litre | R26.17 / litre | ~R0.88 / litre cheaper |
Note: Petrol prices are legally regulated by government, meaning all service stations in Port Elizabeth must sell 95 ULP at the exact same price. Diesel prices are unregulated at the retail level, so pumps across Port Elizabeth may offer slightly different retail rates.
Why Fuel is Cheaper in Port Elizabeth Than Inland
Port Elizabeth motorists enjoy lower petrol and diesel prices than inland residents due to geographical pricing zones known as magisterial zone differentials.
1. Direct Coastal Import & Refining
Cruude oil and refined petroleum products enter South Africa through coastal ports, including the Port of Port Elizabeth and the nearby deepwater port at Coega (Ngqura). Because fuel is stored and distributed directly at sea level, coastal regions incur no long-distance transport costs.
2. Elimination of Pipeline and Transport Tariffs
Inland areas like Gauteng, Free State, and North West rely on Transnet’s underground pipeline network and rail/road tankers to transport fuel hundreds of kilometers uphill from the coast. These logistics charges add roughly 87 cents per litre to inland pumps—a fee Port Elizabeth drivers do not have to pay.
What Determines the Petrol Price in Port Elizabeth?
The price you pay at fuel stations across Port Elizabeth is influenced by two main international components and several fixed domestic levies:
[Basic Fuel Price (BFP)] + [Government Levies & Taxes] + [Distribution & Margins] = Retail Pump Price
Key Factors Shaping the Price:
- International Crude Oil Prices: South Africa imports most of its crude oil. When Brent Crude oil prices rise globally, the Basic Fuel Price (BFP) increases proportionally.
- Rand vs US Dollar Exchange Rate (ZAR/USD): International petroleum products are priced in US Dollars. A weaker Rand makes fuel imports more expensive, driving up local pump prices, whereas a stronger Rand cushions local costs.
- General Fuel Levy (GFL): A fixed government tax applied to every litre of fuel sold nationwide to fund general state expenditure.
- Road Accident Fund (RAF) Levy: A statutory levy dedicated to compensating victims of road accidents in South Africa.
- Slate Levy & Zone Differential: The Slate Levy acts as a self-adjusting buffer to manage cumulative under- or over-recoveries caused by daily market fluctuations between monthly price updates.
How to Save Fuel Driving in Port Elizabeth
While you cannot control international oil prices or taxes, adopting smart driving habits around Nelson Mandela Bay can help stretch your tank further:
- Manage Coastal Wind Drag: Port Elizabeth is famous for its coastal winds. Keep windows rolled up on open stretches like the N2 or M4 bypass to reduce aerodynamic drag, especially on windy days.
- Combine Short Trips: Cold engine starts consume significantly more fuel. Group errands around areas like Greenacres, Walmer, or Summerstrand into one continuous trip.
- Maintain Correct Tyre Pressure: Salt air and temperature swings affect tyre pressure. Check your tyre pressure monthly—under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance and fuel consumption by up to 5%.
- Avoid Sudden Braking and Acceleration: Smooth driving along traffic-heavy routes like Cape Road saves substantial amounts of fuel over time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the current petrol price in Port Elizabeth today?
The current coastal price for 95 Unleaded Petrol in Port Elizabeth is R26.05 per litre, while 93 Unleaded Petrol costs R25.97 per litre. These rates apply to all regulated filling stations in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro.
2. Why is petrol cheaper in Port Elizabeth than in Johannesburg?
Port Elizabeth is a coastal port city where petroleum products are imported and stored directly at sea level. Inland cities must pay additional transport tariffs for fuel moved via underground pipelines, rail, or road trucks, adding around 87 cents per litre to Gauteng pump prices.
3. When are fuel prices updated in South Africa?
Fuel prices are updated on the first Wednesday of every month at midnight by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), based on average international product prices and the Rand/Dollar exchange rate during the preceding month.
4. Is diesel regulated at petrol stations in Port Elizabeth?
No, unlike petrol, diesel is not price-regulated at the retail level in South Africa. The government sets a monthly wholesale benchmark price, but individual service stations (Shell, BP, Engen, Sasol, TotalEnergies, Astron Energy) in Port Elizabeth can set their own retail margins. It pays to compare diesel pump rates across town.
5. Should I fill up with 93 or 95 Unleaded in Port Elizabeth?
At sea level in coastal regions like Port Elizabeth, atmospheric pressure is higher, which requires higher-octane fuel to prevent engine knocking in most modern vehicles. Most vehicle manufacturers recommend 95 Unleaded Petrol at the coast. 93 Unleaded is primarily designed for high-altitude inland regions like Gauteng.
6. Can different filling stations in Port Elizabeth charge different prices for petrol?
No. All retail service stations in Port Elizabeth are legally required to sell petrol (95 ULP and 93 ULP) at the exact official coastal regulated pump price set by the government.
7. How does the Rand/Dollar exchange rate affect Port Elizabeth petrol prices?
Because South Africa imports crude oil and refined fuel priced in US Dollars, a weaker Rand increases the local currency cost of oil imports, leading to price increases at Port Elizabeth pumps. Conversely, a stronger Rand reduces import costs and brings relief to local motorists.