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.
| Petrol Type | Capital City Average (cents per litre)* | AVERAGE DIFFERENCE (cents per litre) |
| E10 94 Unleaded | 167.8 | |
| 91 Unleaded | 169.9 | +2.1 |
| 95 Premium Unleaded | 183.2 | +15.4 |
| 98 Premium Unleaded | 192.2 | +24.4 |
Source: Compare the Market Simples app
*Cheapest fuel station price differences in cents per litre recorded for six capital cities on 30 April 2026
Despite common stigmas Compare the Market’s Chris Ford said E10 was suitable for most modern engines.
“There’s a lot of stigma and snobbery around E10 but the cheaper price tag doesn’t actually mean it is low quality or damaging to engines,” Mr Ford said.
“If your car can accept 91 unleaded and E10 fuel – usually indicated inside the fuel filler flap or vehicle specifications – there’s generally no need to spend more on premium petrol.
“The exception is often for high performance, turbocharged engines and European models – they generally require at least 95 premium unleaded petrol due to higher engine compression requirements.”
Mr Ford said it was just as important to shop around for cheaper prices, with no extension to the fuel excise cut in the federal budget.
“We’re seeing huge differences between prices at different servos, regardless of whether you’re buying petrol or diesel,” Mr Ford said.
“Yet nearly half – 47% – of the motorists we surveyed said they weren’t shopping around for better deals. The power is in motorists’ hands: use fuel comparison apps and drive past the stations charging more for the very same fuel.”
When referencing this research, please attribute: https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/
Disclaimers
Compare the Market commissioned Pureprofile to survey a nationally representative sample of 1,015 Australians in April 2026.
| Petrol Type | Brisbane* | Sydney* | Melbourne* | Adelaide* | Perth* | Hobart* | AVERAGE | AVG DIFFERENCE VS E10 |
| E10 94 Unleaded | 165.5 | 170.9 | 163.5 | 165.5 | N/A** | 173.9 | 167.8 | |
| 91 Unleaded | 169.5 | 175.9 | 167.5 | 169.5 | 159.3 | 177.9 | 169.9 | +2.1 |
| 95 Premium Unleaded | 184.3 | 182.9 | 182.5 | 183.5 | 174.3 | 191.9 | 183.2 | +15.4
|
| 98 Premium Unleaded | 192.3 | 189.5 | 189.5 | 192.5 | 188.5 | 200.9 | 192.2 | +24.4 |
Source: Compare the Market Simples app
*Cheapest fuel station price differences in cents per litre recorded for six capital cities on 30 April 2026
**Perth fuel stations do not offer E10 unleaded fuel
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For more information, please contact:
Henry Man | [email protected] | +61 474 368 908
About comparethemarket.com.au
Compare the Market is a comparison service that takes the hard work out of shopping around. We make it Simples for Australians to quickly and easily compare and buy insurance, energy, and home loans products from a range of providers. Our easy-to-use comparison tool helps you look for a range of products that may suit your needs and benefit your back pocket.
