As you’re probably well aware, advocating for real-time fuel pricing in South Australia has long been a priority for RAA.

We’ve watched similar schemes trialled interstate, we’ve monitored their impact and we’ve seen motorists in some of those jurisdictions save millions of dollars at the bowser every year. And soon it will be our turn, South Australia.

Our preferred real-time fuel pricing model has not only been informed by our research into the models operating interstate, but through surveying our members on how you’d prefer to receive this valuable information from fuel retailers across the State.

With the State Government now having introduced the legislation to underpin South Australia’s real-time model, it is now only a matter of time before we can all enjoy the benefits that comes with immediate and accurate access to the cheapest fuel across South Australia at any given time of the day or night.

We know the State Government is now progressing with the final stages of implementing the website and app that will support the publication of prices as submitted by fuel retailers every 30 minutes. Currently, the only apps on the market feature pricing fed by consumers at the bowser and are often out of date a moments later.

We also know that, when delivered, this real-time fuel pricing model will save South Australian motorists millions of dollars each year.

Because Adelaide, like most capital cities, is subject to a fuel price cycle. This cycle allows the retail price to sometimes fall close to or below the wholesale price of unleaded fuel (a price trough), but it also means the price can spike a lot above it too (a price peak). As we’ve all seen, this cycle sees fuel prices in our State vary by 40 to 50 cents per litre—that can make a big difference to your hip pocket.

RAA cannot control the market and governments are reluctant to regulate the market to fix prices. This is why we have campaigned long and hard for a real-time fuel pricing model that stimulates greater competition by giving you ready access to pricing information.

This hard-fought coup for our members is expected to be rolled out early in the New Year.