Your fuel and efficiency questions, answered
Our answers to your most common questions about fuel prices, fuel supply, and what Tasmanians can do.
We know rising fuel prices are putting real pressure on Tasmanians right now.
We've been hearing from many of our members about the impact, and we want to help. Below, we've answered some of the questions we're receiving most often.
Q: Will fuel prices continue to increase?
This is the most frequently asked question, and it is the hardest to predict.
There are many factors that impact fuel pricing. The duration and breadth of the impact of the war in the Middle East continues to have an impact.
Q: What can I do to get more kilometres out of the fuel I buy?
We can improve fuel economy by around 15 per cent by changing how we drive:
Drive smoothly
The harsher you brake and accelerate, the more fuel you use. Driving smoothly has the largest single impact on fuel consumption.
Watch your speed
Stick to or slightly under the speed limit on highways and use cruise control. Driving slightly under the speed limit can help conserve fuel as there is less wind resistance
Correct tyre pressure
Check your tyres are inflated to the recommended pressure (find this info on the little sticker inside the driver’s door, under the fuel cap, in the glovebox or owner's manual.)
Extra tips:
Don't sit and leave your engine running.
Service your vehicle to its recommended schedule: an engine that’s running efficiently uses less fuel.
Track your usage. Reset your trip meter after filling up and monitor how changes in driving habits influence mileage.
Buy only the fuel you need, when you need it. Panic buying or stockpiling fuel just makes the problem worse for everyone, particularly in regional areas where resupply can take longer due to distance. Stockpiling fuel at home is dangerous.
Q: Should I buy fuel now and store it just in case?
No, panic-buying only causes additional problems that impacts the broader Tasmanian community. Stockpiling fuel or panic buying can cause local service stations to temporarily run out of supply, especially in rural and remote areas.
If a fuel station needs to make an unscheduled urgent resupply this can take some time and can result in increased prices due to out of schedule delivery charges.
Stockpiling fuel is also dangerous. If you do have fuel stored at home for mowers, make sure it is in certified containers and not stored under the same roof as your home.
Our message to our members and the community continues to be: buy fuel when you need it, and please don’t stockpile petrol.
Q: Are there fuel shortages in Tasmania?
Fuel supply in Tasmania remains strong. Regular deliveries are continuing through the national supply chain, we recognise that Tasmanians are experiencing the flow-on effects of higher fuel prices.
Updates to the fuel supply information can be found here
Q: Should I consider buying an Electric Vehicle?
RACT encourages Tasmanians to purchase the safest, most efficient vehicle they can afford that suits their circumstance, but equally to manage driving behaviour to reduce fuel use.
Over the past two years RACT has been part of a program called Real World Testing, which tests efficiency and vehicle emissions across EVs and combustion engine vehicles on typical Australian road driving conditions compared to the advertised levels.
EVs continue to evolve to improve range and charge times. With more new manufacturers entering the market it is becoming an option for more Tasmanians.
Q: What is RACT doing about this?
RACT is a mutual, which means we exist to represent the interests of our members. We have been monitoring Tasmania’s fuel prices closely through 2026 and will report any issues we observe. We are in regular forums and communication with government, our sister clubs, fuel suppliers and Tasmanian industry groups, to understand emerging challenges and advocate for the interests of our members.
Last updated: 22 September 2026