It’s a fourth record-breaking month in a row for South African motorists. It really wasn’t that long ago that we were enjoying petrol at under R14 per litre.
Now, the scales have tipped far. A dramatic monthly increase in fuel costs is set to hit Mzansi like a brick to the head in October, with petrol expected to soar by R1.
South Africa ranks as 91st on the list of cheapest countries for fuel. October’s forecast jump means that we’re looking at a record price-per-litre cost for the fourth month in a row. Breaking the R17 barrier has pushed South Africa down 18 places since the start of September.
Petrol prices: Top 10 most expensive countries
(Based on rand per litre)
1. Hong Kong – R30.68
2. Iceland – R29.38
3. Norway – R29.27
4. The Netherlands – R27.67
5. Barbados – R27.66
6. Greece – R27.32
7. Italy – R27.04
8. Monaco – R27.03
9. Wallis & Futuna – R26.89
10. Denmark – R26.81
Why petrol is so expensive in Hong Kong? Well, fuel is taxed heavily by the authorities to discourage the use of cars in favour of public transport. The value fluctuates from time to time, but Hong Kong is never far away from this unwanted crown.
Life’s no longer a beach for Bajan motorists when it comes to filling up either, as Barbados makes it to the top ten. Europe continues to dominate the most expensive.
Petrol prices: Top 10 cheapest countries
1. Venezuela – R0.12
2. Cambodia – R2.73
3. Iran – R4.04
4. Sudan – R4.84
5. Kuwait – R4.91
6. Algeria – R5.03
7. Ecuador – R5.54
8. Nigeria – R5.79
9. Turkmenistan – R6.07
10. Egypt – R6.16
Why is Petrol so cheap in Venezuela?
Your eyes don’t deceive you. You really can get petrol for less than 15 cents per litre in Venezuela. You could fill up your tank on R5, which is just mindblowing.
Because the South American country sits on top of one of the world’s largest oil reserves, gasoline has been made effectively free as a “Venezuelan birthright”. Despite the country’s economic woes, the price remains dirt cheap.
How much is a litre of petrol in…
Australia – R15.57
Brazil – R16. 19
Canada – R16.10
China – R15.59
India – R16.63
New Zealand – R23.22
Russia – R9.75
UK – R24.19
USA – R11.78.
Zimbabwe – R20.82
All information was taken from Global Petrol Prices. Fuel costs from Syria and Mongolia omitted, as details were not fully provided