Petrol, diesel prices surge

Petrol prices leapt 5c a litre at most service stations yesterday, while diesel jumped 8c.

The shift reflected a rising trend, sparked by soaring crude oil prices.

Motorists were paying 173.9c a litre for 91-octane petrol, and 126.9c for diesel from yesterday.

Automobile Association (AA) spokesman Mark Stockdale said it was impossible to predict how prices would move in the future, but said given that the reasons for the oil price increase – tensions in the Middle East and concerns over the US stocks – were ongoing, it was possible prices would continue to push record levels.

He said rising prices at this time of year was unusual, as prices usually fell a little as the Northern Hemisphere went into winter, and people used cars less.

"They are usually driving less and that coincides with the period where we are driving more," he said.

This year, high petrol prices were likely to put pressure on people planning summer trips and holidays, he said.

He advised motorists to consider carefully what trips were necessary, and look to combine trips to reduce overall car usage.

Mr Stockdale also suggested people take advantage of petrol vouchers handed out by supermarkets.

Most offered on average a 4c discount, which would largely mitigate the price hike.

Some offered discounts as high as 15c a litre.

"It's definitely worth shopping around. You can save a lot of money by shopping somewhere else and picking up your petrol somewhere else with one of the vouchers.

"Those discounts can easily offset the price increases over the last couple of months," Mr Stockdale said.

 - NZPA