Rising fuel prices are again hitting motorists - although savings of 15 cents a litre can be made by shopping around.
Petrol prices in Tauranga yesterday varied as much as 15 cents a litre for regular 91, 17 cents for 98 and a 14 cents a litre for diesel.
Of the 10 stations surveyed in Tauranga, the lowest price for 91 was $2.01 a litre at Gull Hewletts Rd and the most expensive $2.16 at Z in 15th Avenue and Mobil Cameron Rd.
Diesel prices varied from $1.33 at Gull Hewletts Rd to $1.47 a litre at Mobil Cameron Rd.
Data from fuel comparison site Pricewatch shows fuel price increases have hit every region across the country.
A spokesman for Caltex Ōtumoetai Rd said the petrol prices were dependent on the competition.
"We don't have that much authority over prices, really," he said.
"We don't make that much profit."
Z Energy senior communications manager Sheena Thomas said the price of fuel was only one element of customers' overall shopping experience.
There were different business models from standalone unmanned stations to full-service stations, which offered a raft other services, she said.
Price was the most critical factor for some customers, but others looked at the level of service offered, Thomas said.
"I can't speak for our competitors but as far as Z Energy is concerned, we operate full- service stations and that has to be factored in terms of setting our prices," she said.
Z Energy also offered Flybuys points, and customers could also soon take advantage of the discount vouchers from supermarkets.
Calls were also made to Mobil and Gull stations headquarters, but no one was available to comment last night.
Automobile Association spokesman Mark Stockdale said there were significant variances in pricing across the country.
Stockdale said he had heard stories of price variances of between $20 to $30 a tank in some parts of the country.
Stockdale said the AA would be closely monitoring the delivery of the Government's transport plan, announced last week.
"If people are expected to pay more taxes motorists will want more than just the status quo from the extra excise tax collected over the next three years," he said.
Last week Transport Minister Phil Twyford announced a new 10-year plan for investment in roads, rail and public transport.
The Government Policy Statement on Land Transport increases investment in the regions from $3.6bn in 2017/2018 to a record of $4bn in 2018/2019.
Twyford said excise taxes and road charges would need to increase to fund the infrastructure for cities and regions.
That included three increases in the petrol excise duty of 3.5 cents a litre from September 30 and similar increases in road user charges from October 1 this year plus two further 3.5 cent increases in 2019 and 2020.
SIDEBAR STORY:
Expectant father Alec Standen-Rea, 23, whose wife is due to have their first baby in five weeks, says they can no longer afford to fill their car's entire gas tank.
It cost him $55 to pay for three-quarters of a tank after he had used a search app to try to find the station selling the cheapest fuel, he said.
"With rents and everything else going up, I'd like to see the Government reduce the excise tax on fuel and increase parental leave to at least equivalent to a decent salary.
"In five weeks time we will have to survive on one income and its only going to place more pressure on our finances," he said.
"It's quite frustrating seeing all these different stations selling the same type of fuel, yet their prices are so different. I don't think petrol should be so expensive."
Another local motorist, who did not wish to be named, said the price of fuel was "horrendously expensive" especially for job seekers like him.
The 65-year-old Ohauiti man said filling up his two-litre Hyundai cost $84.14 a tank on Monday compared with $55 a few months back.
" I'm forced to drive most places because there is no public transport where I live. My question is where is all the excise tax being collecting going?"