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Your Audi Q8 just became a weekend car.

From tomorrow you’ll have to fork out R2 per litre more to fill your tank with diesel. It’s a low blow this early in the month and will hit an already struggling country right in the nether region.

The Central Energy Fund (CEF) has announced that diesel prices will go up nearly R2/litre at midnight on October 3, the fourth consecutive monthly increase. The wholesale price of high sulphur 0.05% diesel rises R1.97/l with low sulphur 0.005% diesel increasing by R1.94/l.

Those who drive petrol cars will also see an increase, albeit to a smaller extent, with the retail price of 93 unleaded going up R1.08/l and 95 unleaded R1.14/l. All grades of petrol and diesel will cost more than R25/l in inland and more than R24/l at the coast.

The CEF attributes the increases to a rise in international fuel prices during the period under review, and the rand depreciating against the dollar.

One has to ask how this affects the cost of keeping the lights on. Or are the increases actually funding the diesel needed to charge your electric scooter? Either way, there’s enough pain to go around so early in October.

The AA last week stated the obvious and said ‘it would hit consumers hard and they come at a time when most South Africans are feeling extreme financial pressure’. The association went further: “It remains concerning, however, that in the face of these increases government remains silent on its plans, if there are any, on a way forward to deal more effectively with fuel price increases.”

Concerning is a word that pops into everyone’s vocabulary quite a lot these days. The only people not concerned are the government, and that’s concerning.

The AA did however offer some insight that could actually be helpful, such as keeping your car in good running condition, minimising trips where possible, using air-conditioners sparingly and generally just doing what you can to decrease fuel consumption. Remember, it’s the citizens who have to adapt as the noose gets a little tighter.

Since there is very little good news in the state’s latest commandment, here’s the full list of the bad news:

Inland prices:

• 93 unleaded — R25.22
• 95 unleaded — R25.68
• Diesel 0.05% — R25.02
• Diesel 0.005% — R25.22

Coastal prices:

• 95 unleaded — R24.96
• Diesel 0.05% — R24.30
• Diesel 0.005% — R24.52

But don’t be too concerned, there is a little good news. A Black Label 1l cort still only costs R21, so beer is still cheaper than petrol. You might just have to walk down to Tops.

That’s about it for the good news, so just go fill up your car.

[source:timeslive]