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: Unleaded 93 Petrol Price Overview
In South Africa, Unleaded 93 petrol (ULP 93) currently costs R26.76 per litre inland (Gauteng, Free State, North West, Mpumalanga, Limpopo) and R25.97 per litre at coastal areas. Unleaded 93 is lower-octane fuel formulated primarily for naturally aspirated petrol engines driven at higher altitudes (above 1,200 metres), where lower atmospheric pressure reduces the octane requirements of non-turbocharged engines.
Fuel prices in South Africa are regulated nationally by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and are adjusted on the first Wednesday of every month based on international oil prices and the Rand/US Dollar exchange rate.
Current Unleaded 93 Petrol Prices (Inland vs. Coastal)
South Africa’s fuel pricing model divides the country into geographical zones. Inland regions pay a transport differential to cover the cost of piping and trucking fuel from coastal refineries and ports to the Highveld.
| Fuel Grade | Region | Retail Pump Price (Per Litre) | Price Difference vs. 95 Octane |
| Unleaded 93 (ULP 93) | Inland (Reef / Gauteng) | R26.76 | ~16c cheaper than 95 ULP |
| Unleaded 93 (ULP 93) | Coastal (Cape Town, Durban, PE) | R25.97 | ~8c cheaper than 95 ULP |
| Unleaded 95 (ULP 95) | Inland (Reef / Gauteng) | R26.92 | Baseline inland grade |
| Unleaded 95 (ULP 95) | Coastal (Cape Town, Durban, PE) | R26.05 | Baseline coastal grade |
Note: While Unleaded 93 is widely available across inland service stations, many coastal stations stock only 95 Octane due to localized vehicle requirements and lower demand for lower-octane petrol at sea level.
How the Price of Unleaded 93 Petrol is Calculated
The pump price of Unleaded 93 is made up of four main operational cost components determined by the DMRE:
Total Pump Price = Basic Fuel Price (BFP) + Government Levies + Wholesale & Retail Margins + Zone Differential
1. Basic Fuel Price (BFP) (~45%–55%)
The Basic Fuel Price reflects what it costs South Africa to import refined fuel or crude oil from international markets. BFP is directly affected by two global variables:
- International Product Prices: The international benchmark price of refined petrol traded on international markets.
- Rand / US Dollar Exchange Rate: Because petroleum products are traded globally in US Dollars, a weaker Rand increases the local landing cost of fuel.
2. Government Taxes and Levies (~30%–35%)
Fixed taxes imposed by the South African Treasury make up a substantial portion of every litre purchased:
- General Fuel Levy (GFL): Direct tax revenue collected for the national treasury.
- Road Accident Fund (RAF) Levy: Dedicated funding used to compensate victims of road accidents in South Africa.
- Customs & Excise Duty & Carbon Tax: Environmental and import levies applied to fossil fuels.
3. Wholesale, Retail, and Distribution Margins (~15%)
Regulated margins that compensate fuel wholesalers, transport logistics providers, and service station owners for operational costs, wages, and maintenance.
4. Zone Differential (Inland Transport Cost)
A regional surcharge added to inland pump prices to account for pipeline transport (operated by Transnet) and road/rail tanker transit from coastal harbors to inland depots.
Unleaded 93 vs. Unleaded 95: Which Should You Buy?
Choosing between 93 and 95 octane depends on your engine type, altitude, and vehicle manufacturer specifications.
Altitude & Engine Type Matrix:
┌───────────────────────────┬───────────────────────────┬───────────────────────────┐
│ Vehicle Type │ Inland (High Altitude) │ Coastal (Sea Level) │
├───────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────┤
│ Naturally Aspirated (NA) │ Unleaded 93 (Recommended) │ Unleaded 95 │
│ Turbocharged / Supercharged│ Unleaded 95 (Recommended) │ Unleaded 95 (Recommended) │
│ High-Performance Sports │ Unleaded 95 Only │ Unleaded 95 Only │
└───────────────────────────┴───────────────────────────┴───────────────────────────┘
Why Altitude Matters for 93 Octane
At higher altitudes (such as Johannesburg or Pretoria at ~1,500m above sea level), air density is roughly 15–18% lower than at sea level. In naturally aspirated engines (engines without a turbocharger), cylinder compression pressures are lower due to the thinner air. Lower cylinder pressure reduces the risk of “engine knock” (pre-ignition), allowing these vehicles to run safely and efficiently on 93 octane without performance loss.
When You Must Use 95 Octane
- Turbocharged or Supercharged Engines: Forced-induction engines compress air artificially, maintaining high cylinder pressures regardless of altitude. They require 95 octane to prevent engine knock.
- Coastal Driving: At sea level, higher air density increases atmospheric pressure inside the combustion chamber, requiring 95 octane for most modern petrol vehicles.
- High-Performance Vehicles: Sports cars and high-compression engines require higher octane fuel to prevent knock and achieve quoted power output.
Why Petrol Prices Change Monthly in South Africa
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy regulates adjustments on the first Wednesday of each month.
Throughout the month, the Central Energy Fund (CEF) calculates a daily Over-recovery or Under-recovery:
- Over-Recovery (Price Reduction): Occurs when the daily BFP is lower than the BFP built into the current month’s pump price (e.g., oil prices fall or the Rand strengthens). The accumulated surplus leads to a price drop for the following month.
- Under-Recovery (Price Increase): Occurs when international oil prices rise or the Rand depreciates against the Dollar. The deficit leads to a price increase at the pump in the next cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the current price of Unleaded 93 petrol in South Africa?
Inland (Gauteng and surrounding provinces), Unleaded 93 petrol costs R26.76 per litre. At coastal regions where available, it costs R25.97 per litre. Prices are updated on the first Wednesday of each month by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE).
2. Can I use Unleaded 93 petrol in a turbocharged car inland?
It is not recommended. Turbocharged and supercharged engines force air into the combustion chamber, generating higher internal pressures even at high altitudes. Using 93 octane in a turbo engine may lead to engine knocking or force the engine control unit (ECU) to retard ignition timing, reducing fuel economy and power. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended octane rating listed inside your fuel flap.
3. Why is Unleaded 93 petrol cheaper than Unleaded 95?
Unleaded 93 undergoes slightly less refining processing than 95 octane fuel, resulting in lower production costs at the refinery level. This price difference (~8c to 16c per litre) is passed directly to consumers at the pump.
4. Why is Unleaded 93 hard to find at coastal service stations?
At sea level, air density is high, making lower-octane fuel unsuitable for most modern vehicles. Because atmospheric pressure at the coast requires 95 octane to prevent engine knock in most petrol engines, demand for 93 octane at coastal filling stations is minimal, so retailers rarely stock it.
5. Will using Unleaded 93 damage a naturally aspirated car inland?
No. If your car has a naturally aspirated (non-turbo) engine and you drive in inland high-altitude regions (like Gauteng or the Free State), Unleaded 93 provides identical engine protection, performance, and efficiency as 95 octane while saving you money on every fill-up.
6. How often do petrol prices change in South Africa?
Petrol prices are adjusted once a month, effective midnight on the first Wednesday of each month. The exact amount of the increase or decrease is calculated by the Central Energy Fund (CEF) based on average crude oil prices and the ZAR/USD exchange rate over the preceding review period.