AA wants fuel hike warning

Oil companies are being urged to provide motorists with several hours' warning before lifting their prices.

Yesterday, petrol rose almost six cents a litre during the day, before falling back seven cents by nightfall.

The petrol companies blame the incident on stiff local competition and a tumbling New Zealand dollar, but Mike Noon from the Automobile Association says the situation was ridiculous.

He believes there needs to be greater transparency by the companies, to give drivers some warning prices will rise.

- NEWSTALK ZB