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If you’re looking to save money at the petrol pump, using a fuel app could help you find a cheaper deal. We round up some of the apps available to motorists.
Fuel prices in Australia have been on a bumpy journey over the last few years, with the pandemic and the war in Ukraine causing sharp fluctuations. Back in March 2022, the Federal Government announced a six-month reduction in the fuel excise to help make fuel more affordable. But with that excise reduction ending on 29 September 2022, motorists could be in for yet more price fluctuations.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is advising motorists to look out for opportunities to save.
“We urge consumers to shop around, continue to look at information about price cycles in capital cities and consult fuel price apps and websites to compare petrol prices,” it said.
“Average prices between various parts of the petrol price cycles can vary by around 20c to over 40c per litre.”
According to the consumer watchdog, its previous research indicates motorists who fill up at independent chains will save compared to those who shop only at major-branded petrol stations.
With this in mind, here are a number of apps that may help you put more in the tank for less. This is just a selection of the apps available and we’ve ordered them by their average app store ratings and then alphabetically.
My 7-Eleven
Cost: Free
How it works: The app searches the five closest 7-Eleven fuel stores near you, noting your preferred fuel type, and displaying the best local price. A Fuel Price Lock feature lets users select the type of fuel they want, then search for the best local fuel price, and lock it in for up to seven days.
While the 7-Eleven app only covers its own service stations, users can pocket more than savings on fuel. A loyalty feature offers motorists a reward on their seventh visit, and eligible purchases can earn Velocity Points.
Petrol Spy
Cost: Free
How it works: Petrol Spy also relies on users to submit fuel costs at various service stations. By sending in a report, contributors go in the daily draw for a $25 fuel card. The app includes historical fuel price cycle graphs for unleaded and E10 fuel prices.
Fuel Map Australia
Cost: Free
How it works: Fuel Map is another crowd-sourced database of petrol stations and fuel prices nationally. It also shows real-time fuel prices for Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland, sourced from government resources.
Locations of petrol stations are shown on the in-app map as a branded pin with the last known fuel price displayed above. A slide-in site list can be used to find the cheapest petrol price in your area.
The Fuel Map app comes with a useful fuel log feature to track your fuel purchases as well as your vehicle’s fuel economy.
Vroom Fuel Price Compare
Cost: Free
How it works: Vroom Fuel Price Compare is not a national app – its coverage is limited to fuel prices in Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland. However, unlike other apps that rely on crowd-sourced details, Vroom uses government data to provide up-to-date fuel pricing for petrol stations near your location, plus directions to your chosen servo.
MotorMouth
Cost: Free
How it works: MotorMouth relies on roaming drivers, major fuel retailers, and service station operators to provide details of the price of fuel at an outlet. Users who submit prices are rewarded with credits that can be exchanged for extra benefits.
MotorMouth claims to report prices for around 4,500 service stations Australia-wide, using a colour-coded system where servos with prices in the cheapest price band are indicated by a green dot, mid-range prices are coloured yellow, and the most expensive prices are shown in red dots. Tapping on a coloured dot reveals the site details and fuel price.
State- and territory-based apps and sites
There are also a variety of state- and territory-based fuel apps or web pages that motorists can check out to cut costs at the bowser.
Northern Territory: MyFuel NT
South Australia: FuelPrice Australia
Victoria: RACV Fuel Check
Western Australia: FuelWatch
Cover image source: rawf8/Shutterstock.com
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