I have noticed, particularly lately, that the price differential between ULP and 98 RON has been creeping up in some garages to 20c a litre. I remember back when it first became available in WA (BP Ultimate) the differential was around 6 c per litre. I wrote to FuelWatch about this and here is their reply FYI:

Thank you for your email.

Fuel prices are not regulated in Australia. Pricing is market based, and is not necessarily based on the cost price. As with other retail goods, sellers are free to set their prices and it is not against the law to set a price well above the cost price. FuelWatch does not control or set the price of fuel.

The average difference between 98 RON and ULP in Perth for 2015 was 17.1 cents per litre (cpl), up from an average difference of 10.8 cpl in 2008. This difference has been increasing steadily since, reflecting a sustained increase in the demand for higher octane fuels.

Although ULP still accounts for the majority of petrol sales in Australia, the sales volume of premium fuels has been increasing rapidly. From 2008 to 2013 premium fuel sales increased over 50 per cent across Australia. In addition, retailers have tended towards premium fuels as the source of their fuel related profits.

The difference in price between ULP and PULP/98 RON is unregulated and retailers are free to set their prices and terms of trade. We recommend you focus on the lowest prices overall, not just on the difference in price between the various grades, as sites with a larger difference may be cheaper than sites with a smaller difference.

Ultimately, the power to push fuel prices down is in the hands of consumers. As you are in WA, you have an opportunity which motorists in other states do not have in which you can shop around without driving around and be sure the price on FuelWatch is the price paid. By using FuelWatch to find and reward the most competitive retailer you are best able to flex your consumer muscle.

We hope this information is of help.

Kind regards,
FuelWatch

I would have thought with increased demand and competition, that the price differential would have gone down.....

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