Perth petrol prices: Drivers urged to fill up on Tuesday before fuel prices reach three-year high

Fuel prices in Perth will hit a three-year high on Wednesday, with an average cost for unleaded of $2.22.6 per litre and one outlet set charge almost $2.50.

The almost 30c per litre jump overnight will take Perth motorists back to the prices of September 20, 2023, when motorists were paying $2.23.5 at the bowser.

Drivers have been urged to fill up Tuesday evening or seek out the stations selling the cheapest fuel, with prices to range from $1.87.3 up to $2.49.50.

“Wholesale price increases, driven by higher international benchmarks, are now flowing through to local pump prices. However, buying regular unleaded petrol from the cheapest site in Perth rather than the most expensive, a difference of 64 cents per litre, means motorists can potentially save $38 on a 60-litre tank,” a Consumer Protection statement warned.

Wednesday’s cheapest unleaded will be at Burk Cannington. Better Choice in Edgewater and Hills Emporio are others selling below $2 per litre.

BP will be Perth’s most expensive chain on Wednesday, hiking prices on average by a whopping 45.9 cents to an average of $2.37.8 cents per litre, up from Tuesday’s $191.90.

Ampol brands will charge an average of 234.3 up 45.6 cents from Tuesday’s 188.7, while EG Ampol’s average metro price will be 230.6, 41.4 cents more than a day earlier.

Shell Bullsbrook, east of the city, was on Tuesday selling some of Perth’s cheapest petrol at $1.74 per litre.

Costco Casuarina and Costco Perth Airport, which require memberships (membership required) is selling unleaded fuel for $1.72.7, and at Burk Cannington and Burk Oakford, south of the city, fuel is available for $1.79.3 per litre.

Liberty Landsdale is the cheapest in the northern suburbs at $1.75.5 per litre.

“Despite the average hike tomorrow, there are still 21 individual sites offering ULP below 196 cents per litre, so consumers should check the FuelWatch website to find the lowest price near them,” the organisation said.

The key message is that while there are challenges … the preparations the government have put in place for the minimum stock obligation are working.

Diesel will also surge by about 18 cents per litre with the average in the metro area rising overnight from $2.23.3 to $2.41.3.

The metro average price for LPG will remain the same at $1.39.60 cents per litre.

Fuel will actually be cheaper in most regional centres than Perth, although prices are also on the up in the country. Kalgoorlie/Boulder’s average will be $2.14 per litre, Esperance $2.13.60, Karratha $2.11.60, Busselton $2.11, Bunbury $210.90, Albany $2.10.60 and Geraldton $210.20.

The fuel hikes come amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East which has restricted supply and placed upward pressure on local prices.

Motorists have been urged to cede panic buying and stockpiling fuel, with Premier Roger Cook on Tuesday making an attempt to alleviate public concerns.

“Our most recent advice continues to be that there are no direct impacts to fuel supply - fuel continues to arrive in Australia in the quantities and frequency we would expect,” he wrote to Facebook.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen claims the country has “enough diesel in Australia for our needs for the foreseeable future, and there is absolutely no need for panic”.

“The key message is that while there are challenges … the preparations the government have put in place for the minimum stock obligation are working,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

“If it is necessary to access those minimum supplies we will … our stocks are as high as they were before this crisis began.”

Meanwhile, some servos, according to locals, have run out of fuel and others are putting restrictions in place, unsure when their next delivery will be.