🇿🇦 Petrol price in South Africa
A litre of petrol costs 29.83 ZAR ($1.80) in South Africa, or $6.82 per US gallon. It ranks #112 cheapest of 170 countries. That is up 15% in dollar terms since our first reading on 2026-07-03 ($1.57/L).
Per litre
29.83 ZAR
$1.80 per litre · $6.82 per US gallon
50-litre tank
1,491 ZAR
$90 · 5.2 days of average income
World rank
#112 of 170
16% above the world median
Since 2026-07-03
+15%
from $1.57 to $1.80 per litre (USD)
A year of driving
$1,515
12,000 km at 7 L/100 km · 24% of average income
EV vs petrol, per 100 km
$3.65 vs $12.62
home charging at $0.215/kWh
What petrol costs in South Africa, in context
At $1.80 a litre, South Africa sits above the global middle of the pack: the median country in our 170-country dataset pays $1.55. The closest cheaper country we cover is Turkey at $1.72. The closest pricier one is Sweden at $1.88.
Against an average income of $6,270 a year (World Bank GNI per capita, 2025), one full 50-litre tank takes 5.2 days of earnings. Driving 12,000 km a year in a typical car would use about 840 litres, costing $1,515, or 24% of that income.
Electricity changes the maths. Households in South Africa pay about $0.215 per kWh, so an EV using 17 kWh per 100 km costs $3.65 to charge at home. A petrol car costs $12.62 for the same distance. Over a year of driving, that is roughly $1,076 saved on energy. Electricity prices by country →
Nearby on the price ladder
| Country | Local / litre | $/litre | $/US gallon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇺Australia | 2.30 AUD | $1.60 | $6.05 |
| 🇨🇷Costa Rica | 761 CRC | $1.67 | $6.33 |
| 🇵🇪Peru | 5.76 PEN | $1.68 | $6.35 |
| 🇹🇷Turkey | 84.94 TRY | $1.72 | $6.51 |
| 🇿🇦South Africa | 29.83 ZAR | $1.80 | $6.82 |
| 🇸🇪Sweden | 18.89 SEK | $1.88 | $7.13 |
| 🇲🇩Moldova | 34.26 MDL | $1.92 | $7.26 |
| 🇯🇴Jordan | 1.36 JOD | $1.92 | $7.26 |
| 🇭🇺Hungary | 639 HUF | $1.96 | $7.40 |
Source: GlobalPetrolPrices.com, retrieved 2026-10-13. Converted at current exchange rates.
Local-currency figures are the USD price converted at the snapshot exchange rate, so they can differ slightly from the pump board. Driving estimates assume 7 L/100 km for petrol cars and 17 kWh/100 km for EVs.
Petrol in South Africa: common questions
What is the petrol price in South Africa today?
Petrol costs about 29.83 ZAR per litre, or $1.80 per litre ($6.82 per US gallon) in South Africa, based on GlobalPetrolPrices data retrieved 2026-10-13.
How much does it cost to fill a tank in South Africa?
A typical 50-litre tank costs about 1,491 ZAR ($90), which is 5.2 days of average income.
Is petrol expensive in South Africa?
South Africa ranks #112 cheapest of 170 countries. Its price is 16% above the world median of $1.55 per litre.
Is an electric car cheaper to run than a petrol car in South Africa?
At household electricity rates of $0.215/kWh, an EV costs about $3.65 per 100 km to charge at home versus about $12.62 for a petrol car using 7 L/100 km. The EV is about 71% cheaper per kilometre on energy alone.
Why does the price of gasoline differ so much between countries?
Tax is the biggest factor. Fuel duty and VAT can make up more than half the pump price in much of Europe, while oil producers often subsidise fuel below world market prices. Exchange-rate moves also shift prices in dollar terms even when the local pump price is unchanged.