The festive season starts off with reduced spirit as fuel prices are set to increase tonight, Tuesday, December 3.

The AA says while motorists’ travel plans will be dampened by increases, they are unlikely to result in large-scale changes to holiday travel plans of those embarking on long year-end journeys. The Regulatory Accounting System (RAS) – the guidelines for the fuel industry that determines margins for petrol at wholesale, retail and secondary storage, and distribution levels – could offset any gains and add to under-recoveries for petrol prices.

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy announced these increases:

• Petrol 93 & 95(ULP & LRP): 17c per litre increase in retail price
• Diesel 0.05% sulphur: 54.88c per litre increase in wholesale price
• Diesel 0.005% sulphur: 55.88c per litre increase in wholesale price
• Illuminating paraffin (wholesale): 48.88c per litre increase in wholesale price
• Illuminating paraffin: 66c per litre increase in the single maximum national retail price
• Liquefied Petroleum Gas: 72c per kg increase in the maximum retail price

What to expect at the pumps (inland)

• Petrol 95: R21.30 per litre
• Petrol 93: R21.15 per litre
• Wholesale price of 0.05% diesel: R19.21 per litre
• Wholesale price of 0.005% diesel: R19.33 per litre

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How much fuel will cost you?

When the fuel price decrease kicks in, a litre of 95 unleaded petrol will now cost R21.30 while 93 unleaded will now retail at R21.15. The wholesale price of 0.05% diesel will increase to R19.21 per litre and 0.005% will cost R19.33.

Apart from the margin adjustments, the mixed outlook for fuel prices can be attributed to fluctuations in the international product prices of unleaded fuel since mid-November.

Additionally, the depreciation of the rand against the US dollar at the beginning of the month has added to the under-recovery (increase) of fuel prices.

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The association emphasises that the increases in diesel prices will have negative consequences for all consumers, as higher input costs will likely lead to increased prices at stores.

“We urge consumers to monitor their fuel usage closely and to budget according to the new fuel prices, which will take effect at midnight on Tuesday, December 3. Ensuring vehicles are well maintained, carefully planning routes and avoiding heavy traffic whenever possible are some strategies that motorists can use to improve fuel consumption,” notes the AA.

Ahead of the expected year-end increase to traffic on major routes across the country, the AA also again urges motorists to ensure they have the right mindset before setting off on their holidays.

“A well-maintained vehicle is critical, but so is a good attitude when driving. Understand that you will be sharing the road with many thousands of other travellers, and that your and other road users’ safety is your shared responsibility. Obey the rules of the road, be courteous to other drivers and rest every 200km or every two hours to ensure you are alert,” the AA concludes.

• This article has been amended since it was first published to reflect updated fuel prices.