A quarter of Western Australian motorists will struggle to re-fuel their vehicles if petrol prices remain at a record highs of $2 a litre and above.
With FuelWatch warning unleaded 91 will reach 207.9 cents per litre at some Perth retailers tomorrow, a poll of RAC members has revealed 25 per cent will struggle to afford petrol for their cars if prices stay this high.
RAC Manager Vehicles and Fuels Alex Forrest said the cost of fuel is putting immense pressure on household budgets.
“Each fortnight, we’re seeing petrol prices reach new heights and a staggering number of motorists are saying they simply can’t afford for this to continue,” Mr Forrest said.
“Petrol prices remaining at or around the $2 mark will, on average, amount to an extra $670 this year — this is a huge blow to household budgets and will only make it more difficult for people to get around our city.
“A recent poll of our members revealed most would have to change their driving behaviour to save money, with nearly 40 per cent saying they’d drive less and another 50 per cent shopping around more for the best price.”
RAC advises motorists to fill-up tonight, with tomorrow also marking a new record daily average price for unleaded 91 — 195.3cpl — on the most expensive day of Perth’s fortnightly fuel cycle.
“High crude oil prices are driving up wholesale pricing but this doesn’t explain the huge overnight price hikes that are specific to the Perth metro area — hikes which our members continue to tell us are frustrating, confusing and costly,” Mr Forrest said.
“Motorists should not be punished just because they need to fill up at a certain point in the fortnightly cycle.
“We’d also like to hear from the fuel retailers directly — we’re yet to receive any explanation as to why Perth’s price cycle changed from weekly to fortnightly in October last year.”
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Media contact: Caitlin Barr, 0401 703 719 or media@rac.com.au
