Fuel purchases drop significantly as motorists battle rising costs - IOL

South African motorists are feeling the pinch and changing the way they buy fuel as rising prices put increasing pressure on household budgets.

According to new data from Discovery Insure, fuel purchasing volumes among its clients dropped by 33% in October following the latest fuel price increase.

The data shows that motorists are buying smaller amounts of fuel more often, with purchases of less than 20 litres now making up 36% of transactions in 2026, up from 25% in 2025.

However, while motorists are spending more on fuel, their everyday driving habits have remained largely unchanged, with many still having to travel for work, school and other daily activities.

"Motorists are clearly feeling the pressure of rising fuel prices and are becoming more deliberate about filling up,” Robert Attwell, CEO of Discovery Insure, said.

“We are seeing more people buy smaller amounts of fuel, especially around price changes, as they look for ways to manage their spend.

The data also shows that motorists are visiting fuel stations more often, with average monthly visits increasing from 2.4 to just over three during periods of large fuel price increases.

Purchases of less than 20 litres have also become more common, making up 36% of all transactions in 2026, compared to 25% in 2025.

However, motorists appear to be cutting back on longer trips. Discovery Insure recorded a 30% drop in long-distance travel during the winter months, while daily commuting remained largely unchanged.

The rising cost of fuel is also putting pressure on household budgets. Average monthly fuel spending among Discovery Insure clients increased from about R1,750 at the beginning of 2025 to between R2,500 and R2,700 by mid-2026.

The increase comes as inland 95 unleaded petrol rose from R20.75 a litre in January 2026 to R30.25 in October.

According to Statistics South Africa, transport costs increased by 10.8% year-on-year, more than double the overall inflation rate of 4.5%.

Economist and managing director of ESG Analytics, Sfiso Skenjana, said rising fuel prices also affect the cost of everyday goods because businesses pay more to transport products and run their operations.

“Fuel prices don’t just affect what it costs to drive. Diesel is used to move goods and run businesses, so when diesel prices rise, the cost of everyday essentials rises too."