Data scope and methodology
How the fuel-price explorer works
The project brings South African fuel-price history, official reference-zone comparisons and personal cost estimates into one view. The calculations are transparent and the data checks are part of the published workflow.
Geographic scope
The historical view uses Gauteng Zone 9C as an inland reference and Coast Zone 1A as a coastal reference. These are specific magisterial district pricing zones, not provincial averages. South Africa has 54 pricing zones. The latest official regional schedule is checked across all 54 zones, but the explorer does not yet claim a full historical price series for every zone.
Products and units
- Petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin are shown in rand per litre.
- LPG is shown in rand per kilogram.
- Diesel values are regulated wholesale reference prices. Retail pump prices can differ.
- The calculator is available only where a per-litre price can support a meaningful vehicle estimate.
Calculator formulas
Trip litres are calculated as distance multiplied by litres per 100 kilometres, divided by 100. Trip cost is litres multiplied by the selected reference price. The budget calculator divides the rand amount by the price per litre, then converts those litres into an estimated distance using the chosen fuel consumption.
Vehicle and journey assumptions
Vehicle types provide editable starting consumption figures rather than model-specific or manufacturer-tested claims. Road conditions and load selections apply visible percentage allowances to the chosen base consumption. Fuel reserve is calculated and shown separately from the fuel expected to complete the journey.
- Mixed paved and gravel travel adds 10%; mostly gravel adds 15%; low-range or off-road travel adds 25%.
- Passengers and luggage add 5%; a roof load adds 10%; towing adds 20%.
- These are optional planning assumptions, not measured effects for a particular vehicle. Drivers should use their own observed consumption whenever possible.
Freshness and source status
Every price and estimate shows its effective date. We flag a missing current-month update from day 10, or when the latest observation is more than 45 days old. A failed refresh leaves the previous reviewed dataset in place. Historical records still awaiting official reconciliation remain visible with a source-review note for the selected chart period.
Quality checks
Automated checks cover schema, dates, duplicate keys, monthly coverage, product availability, region definitions, source evidence, calculator formulas and the application data contract. Official-source differences are kept in a review register. Conflicting values are disclosed and are not silently corrected.
Interpretation note: Calculator results are estimates based on reference prices. Actual costs can differ because of driving conditions, vehicle load, fuel consumption and retail pricing.