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• Fuel prices are set for another increase this April.
• With diesel expected to increase by as much as R3.08, the fuel type will cost around R23.60/litre.
• Refueling a Toyota Hilux's 80 litre fuel tank will cost upwards of R1 800.
• For more motoring stories, visit Wheels24
According to the Automobile Association, South Africans are in for another shock in April as fuel prices are set to increase by as much as R3.08. As per the data released by the Central Energy Fund (CEF), 95 octane petrol is set to increase by R2.15 per litre, 93 octane is expected to climb by R2.07/litre, diesel by between R2.94/litre and R3.08/litre, and illuminating paraffin by R2.51/litre.
The end result is that fuel prices will now touch on R24 per litre for petrol and R23.60/litre for diesel.
The AA says: "If realised at month-end, these will be the biggest increases to fuel prices in South Africa's history and will, undoubtedly, have major ramifications for all consumers and the economy in general. We must note, though, that this is the mid-month outlook, and oil prices are, for the moment, see-sawing significantly, so there may yet be some relief before the official adjustment by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy is made going into April."
The ramifications
With these expected figures on the horizon, South Africans are bound to feel the damning effects of the increase in their everyday lives. Not just at the pumps, but also as living costs increase because of the raging war between Russia and Ukraine.
Bakkie owners, too, will feel the pinch, perhaps more than those owning sedans and hatchbacks. The net result is that diesel now costing little more than R23/litre will bring about extra pressure as owners attempt to carry on with very little stress or concern.
READ: 'Solutions that benefit motorists are needed' - AA urges government to review fuel prices
South Africa's favourite vehicle, the Toyota Hilux, has a fuel tank capacity of 80 litres. At R23 for a litre of diesel, owners are looking at around R1 840 to fill the tank from empty. This month, with diesel prices still around the R20/litre mark across parts of South Africa, the total refill costs were in the region of R1 600 - R240 less per fill-up than April's expected costs.
Even scarier is the predicted R40/litre at some point in 2022, which should see owners fork out around R3 200 to fill their Hilux's 80-litre fuel tank.
Adopting healthier driving styles
MasterDrive's Eugene Herbert shares important tips that can save you fuel when driving:
• Watch 12 seconds ahead as you drive to anticipate changes to traffic conditions and minimise unnecessary braking and acceleration
• Reducing speed by 20km/h can reduce fuel consumption by 20% in certain circumstances
• Drive defensively and responsibly. Fast lane changes, sudden acceleration, harsh braking and weaving between traffic increases fuel and maintenance costs
• Plan your route
• Use traffic apps and alerts to avoid traffic jams and congestion
• Keep your RPMs around 3 000 as it can also reduce your consumption by 20%
• Regular maintenance improves fuel efficiency
• Remove unnecessary items from your car. Every extra 50kgs of weight increases fuel consumption by 2%
• The most fuel-efficient way to drive is with windows closed and the air-conditioner off. That, however, is not always possible and an air-conditioner uses less fuel than an open window creating considerable drag.
• Incorrectly inflated tires affect fuel consumption
