Fuelling
your fleet
A first-hand look at how mobile apps can provide you and your
drivers significant savings at the bowser.
WORDS BY DANIEL BRAID
P
erhaps the greatest variable in the running
costs of a vehicle is fuel expense. Unless
you have the luxury of driving an electric
vehicle, there is no easy way around that
constant fill up at the bowser - where the price
you pay is more or less a lottery draw.
A recent study found that 89% of Australian
motorists believe they are paying too much
for their fuel, while up to 60% of drivers admit
they follow price cycles closely to try and avoid
paying more they need to.
In news that might bring some relief to motorists,
a report earlier this year from the Australian
Competition and Consumer Commission found
that average fuel prices were at their lowest level
in 15 years. But as ACCC Chairman Rod Sims
explained drivers should be seeing greater savings
when they fill up at the pump.
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ISSUE 20 2019 / WWW.AFMA.ORG.AU
“While motorists are enjoying the cheapest
petrol since 2002, we believe prices should
have been even lower given the continuing high
gross retail margins,” he said.
“Prices at the pump in 2016-17 are reflecting
the relatively low international price of refined
petrol which fortunately is a result of the OPEC
cartel failing to successfully restrict the supply of
crude oil,”
But rather than wait for market changes to filter
their way down to a consumer level, there are
many savings that motorists can take advantage
of today if they are willing to do their homework.
AfMA roadtested five of the most popular free
fuel-saving apps and websites to see which ones
provided the most reliable savings for drivers.