Early petrol price predictions for August bring bad news for diesel drivers

After a rough month for South African motorists, early petrol price forecasts courtesy of the Central Energy Fund (CEF) tell us the price hikes aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. For some drivers, anyway. According to the CEF’s latest predictive snapshot (captured 8 July 2025), diesel drivers are due for yet another hefty price hike at the pumps this August, while petrol drivers may just be in for a 20c/l treat instead.

Diesel drivers, listen up

Of course, we should mention that these figures are not final and are subject to change. The CEF, an energy company reporting to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), keeps track of the various economic factors that determine the price of fuel locally every month. These factors, which include the average Rand/US Dollar exchange rate and average price of unrefined oil internationally, can change at any time.

The CEF tracks these factors daily, offering interested South Africans an accurate look at the coming fuel prices for the following month. Should the Rand strengthen, for instance, it could mean good things for the price of fuel locally in the coming month. However, the opposite is also true. A tanking Rand and more expensive oil products internationally could lead to South Africans coughing up more than they expected at the pumps.

In July, the DMRE imposed a massive 50-80c/l increase on petrol and diesel prices respectively, due to the uncertainties affecting the oil market globally, thanks to the petty squabbles involving several world leaders. With tensions slowly settling, a relatively stable Rand has helped provide an expected ‘over-recovery (price decrease) in the case of petrol. Diesel, on the other hand, may not be so lucky, with an expected ‘under-recovery’.