Fuel price apps push

Motorists urged to unite in fight against petrol price rises

MOTORISTS will be encouraged to input regional petrol prices into fuel comparison apps and broaden their use of them, under a State Government push aimed at the hip pocket.

It comes after the Government has thrown its support behind three recommendations made by a parliamentary inquiry into regional fuel prices.

About two million RACV members will be asked to input petrol prices into the peak motoring body’s app to give mo- torists more options, the government’s response to the inquiry states.

“Fuel price apps, such as the RACV app, can assist motorists to more easily compare fuel prices and, therefore, are an effective means of improving fuel price transparency,” the response stated.

“Crowdsourcing apps in particular should be encouraged as they have potential to improve the coverage of fuel prices in regional Victoria.”

Apco petrol station director Peter Anderson warned motorists to be wary when using petrol price comparison apps.

“I would recommend that motorists be cautious that the info put into these apps by consumers isn’t always accurate,” Mr Anderson said.

He suspected competitors are putting each other’s prices into apps in a bid to gain an advantage.

An analysis by Mr Anderson of prices at Apco stations around Geelong shows that the height of the prices cycle usually occurs in the second or third week of a month.

Recent price highs include $1.59 on May 26, $1.54 on June 25, and $1.55 on July 21 and August 14.

Mr Anderson, who operates eight petrol stations across Geelong, said an app that relied on retailers reporting prices would lead to higher prices for consumers.

The Government’s response to the inquiry recommends running a public awareness campaign in regional Victoria to encourage the use of fuel price apps by the end of the year and supporting the RACV to improve the coverage of fuel prices in its app by encouraging the members to input data. It also recommends establishing planning policies that encour- age new petrol stations to enter regional markets.

The Government’s report states greater use of fuel price apps will lift transparency among fuel retailers and stimulate competition.

“More informed decisionmaking by motorists about where and when to buy fuel has the potential to stimulate competition between service station operators,” the report stated.

The Government’s response follows the parliamentary inquiry into fuel prices in regional Victoria, which reported in February.