Price gouging behind soaring diesel costs, NRMA warns

The NRMA has slammed service stations for price gouging as the difference between wholesale and retail diesel prices in capital cities soars.

The 18 cents price gap in Sydney is the highest ever recorded, but the trend is happening in every capital except Adelaide and Perth, the motoring organisation said.

NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said high diesel prices had a direct impact on the cost-of-living crisis and inflationary pressures.

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"The gross margins for diesel prices in Australia have been too high for too long and they need to come down now," Khoury said.

"Australia's economy runs on diesel and over-inflated fuel prices impact the whole supply chain and it is the fuel of choice for millions of Australian families."

Research released by the NRMA showed the international benchmark price for diesel – Gasoil – is trading at $US101 a barrel after falling from a record high of $US186 a barrel in June 2022.

The current wholesale price for diesel in Australia is $1.79 per litre, but most motorists who fill up on diesel have not seen the savings at the bowser.

In Darwin the price for a litre of diesel is most at expensive at $2.09 per litre ahead of Hobart ($2.06), Canberra ($2.04), Melbourne ($1.98) and Brisbane ($1.97).

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Khoury said the high diesel prices were another hit for Aussie families and businesses.

"Global factors have worked against Australians since the world came out of the COVID lockdown and Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine - domestic issues should not be compounding the issue."

The advice for drivers until then is to research where you can find the cheapest diesel on the NRMA app.

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