Fin24 reports that motorists may get a pleasant fuel price surprise ahead of the busy Easter holiday travel period, with diesel and petrol prices currently on track for substantial cuts in the first week of April.

However, final prices will only be fixed at the end of March. The latest estimate from the Central Energy Fund shows that the price of 95 unleaded petrol is due for a cut of 95c a litre, while the wholesale price of diesel could be lowered by between 91c and 95c a litre. SA fuel prices are largely determined by international oil costs and the rand exchange rate, as oil is priced in dollars. The weak oil price and strong rand will help to cushion a 3c/litre hike in the carbon fuel levy – to reach 14c/litre for petrol and 17c/litre for diesel – that takes effect from 2 April. The revised national budget, which was tabled last week, has left other fuel levies unchanged. Fuel prices will be adjusted on the first Wednesday of April.

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