South African motorists saw a slight decrease in fuel prices this month, following the latest announcement by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.
Motorists get reprieve as fuel prices drop this month
The fuel price adjustments, which took effect on Wednesday, 5 March 2025, offer minor relief to drivers as petrol, diesel, and illuminating paraffin prices decline.
According to the department, petrol 95 and 93 dropped by R0.07 per litre, while diesel 0.05% and 0.005% sulphur saw reductions of R0.18 and R0.24 per litre, respectively.
Illuminating paraffin also decreased by R0.06 at the wholesale level and R0.08 at the retail level, with LPGAS dropping by R0.02 per kilogram.
These adjustments mean that inland petrol users will, in March, pay R22.34 per litre for 95 unleaded petrol, while coastal motorists will pay R21.55 per litre.
Diesel prices will also see changes, with 0.05% sulphur diesel now costing, on average, around R21.52 per litre inland and R21.99 per litre at the coast.
While these price reductions are welcome, many South Africans continue to feel the pressure of high fuel costs, which affect transport expenses and contribute to rising living costs.
Industry experts caution that global oil prices and currency fluctuations remain unpredictable, meaning fuel prices could change again in the coming months.
How much it costs to fill a tank in March 2025
With these new fuel prices in place, many motorists may be wondering how much it will cost to fill their vehicles this month.
The cost of refuelling varies depending on the car’s fuel tank capacity and whether the driver is filling up at inland or coastal prices.
For example, smaller vehicles such as the Renault Kwid (28-litre tank) will cost around R625.52 to fill up inland and R603.40 at the coast.
A Toyota Fortuner (80-litre tank) will require R1,787.20 for a full tank inland and R1,724.00 at the coast.
Larger vehicles such as the Nissan Patrol (140-litre tank) will see fuel costs exceeding R3,127.60 inland and R3,017.00 at the coast.
Below is a detailed breakdown of how much it costs to fill a full tank for different car models in South Africa:
| Vehicle Model | Vehicle Type | Maximum Fuel Capacity (Litres) | Coastal (Rands) | Inland (Rands) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiat 500 | Hatchback | 35 | R754.25 | R781.90 |
| Suzuki Celerio | Hatchback | 35 | R754.25 | R781.90 |
| Renault Kwid | Hatchback | 28 | R603.40 | R625.52 |
| Toyota Starlet | Sedan | 37 | R797.35 | R826.58 |
| Volkswagen Polo Vivo | Sedan | 45 | R969.75 | R1,005.30 |
| Toyota Fortuner | SUV | 80 | R1,724.00 | R1,787.20 |
| Renault Duster | SUV | 50 | R1,077.50 | R1,117.00 |
| Toyota Hilux | Bakkie | 80 | R1,724.00 | R1,787.20 |
| Ford Ranger | Bakkie | 80 | R1,724.00 | R1,787.20 |
| Nissan Patrol | Bakkie | 140 | R3,017.00 | R3,127.60 |
As seen in the table, fuel costs remain significant for many motorists, particularly those driving larger vehicles. Although the price cuts offer some relief, fuel expenses continue to be a major concern, particularly for commuters and transport operators.