Petrol price May 2026 climbed to R26.52 a litre on 6 May, the steepest one-month rise South African motorists have seen since 2022. Diesel cleared R32 a litre. The 14% jump follows a Strait of Hormuz oil shock and the phase-out of fuel levy relief, with another increase forecast for June.
Also read: Fuel price increase South Africa: how the 6 May hike will hit household budgets
Petrol price May 2026: pump prices from 6 May
Inland 95 unleaded sits at R26.52 a litre. Coastal 95 trades at R25.78. Inland 93 unleaded is R26.31. Diesel 50ppm wholesale moved to R32.04, while diesel 10ppm reached R32.18. Illuminating paraffin retail rose to R20.14. The hike took effect at midnight on the first Wednesday of May, in line with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy schedule.
What drove the 14% petrol price hike
Two forces collided. Brent crude ran 22% higher through April after Iran tested missile defences over the Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint that carries roughly a fifth of seaborne oil. The rand also weakened to R19.40 against the dollar by month-end, lifting the basic fuel price input. Treasury then closed off the temporary fuel levy relief that had cushioned motorists through the first quarter, adding 36 cents to the inland petrol price on its own.
Cost to fill up popular South African vehicles
Calculations are based on inland 95 unleaded at R26.52 a litre and diesel 50ppm at R32.04 a litre.
- Volkswagen Polo Vivo (45L petrol): R1 193
- Toyota Corolla Cross (47L petrol): R1 246
- Hyundai i20 (45L petrol): R1 193
- Toyota Hilux 2.4 GD-6 (80L diesel): R2 563
- Ford Ranger 2.0 BiT (80L diesel): R2 563
- Isuzu D-Max LSE (76L diesel): R2 435
- Toyota Fortuner 2.8 (80L diesel): R2 563
- VW Amarok 2.0 (80L diesel): R2 563
June 2026 fuel price forecast
The Automobile Association warned that mid-month tracking already shows another over-recovery in the wholesale price. If oil holds above $95 a barrel and the rand stays above R19, June pump prices could climb a further 80 cents to R1.10 a litre on petrol and 90 cents on diesel. A pull-back is only likely if Iran-Israel tensions ease and Brent retreats below $90.
Frequently asked questions
Why did petrol jump 14% in May 2026?
The increase combines an oil price shock from Strait of Hormuz tensions, a weaker rand against the dollar and the formal end of the fuel levy relief that Treasury introduced as a temporary measure. Each component pushed the basic fuel price higher, with the levy phase-out adding a fixed 36 cents.
How is the petrol price set in South Africa?
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy adjusts pump prices on the first Wednesday of each month. The basic fuel price is calculated against international product prices, exchange rates and a basket of taxes and levies. Wholesalers then add transport, storage and retail margins.
When is the next fuel price adjustment?
The next official adjustment falls on Wednesday 3 June 2026. The Central Energy Fund publishes daily under-recovery and over-recovery figures from the second week of each month, giving a strong indication of the direction.
Is the fuel levy relief returning?
Treasury has not signalled a return. The 2026 Budget framed the levy relief as a once-off intervention. Any reinstatement would require a new fiscal decision, not an automatic trigger.
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Source: Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, Automobile Association, Central Energy Fund
