Originally published: Compare the Market, 15 May 2026
Motorists could save around $620 a year by switching to a cheaper fuel type, according to new research from Compare the Market showing the average difference between premium unleaded and E10 can be 24 cents per litre on average.
About 73% of Australians reported feeling financially stressed due to high fuel costs, yet 46% said they don’t intend to switch from their usual petrol type to save money.
That’s despite E10 unleaded petrol typically retailing about 24 cents per litre cheaper than 98 premium unleaded petrol – a potential saving of $12 on a 50-litre tank.
For drivers who fill up once a week, that could amount to $624 over a year – enough to buy 312 cups of cheap $2 servo coffee or cover most, if not all, of annual car registration fees.
Compare the Market’s survey found 18% had recently switched to E10 to save money, with a smaller proportion now choosing 91 unleaded petrol (11%) and 95 premium unleaded petrol (6%) due to the volatile fuel situation.
About 16% reported already filling up with the cheapest-available E10 option.
Compare the Market commissioned Pureprofile to survey a nationally representative sample of 1,015 Australians in April 2026.
