Rising fuel prices necessitate a push towards green transportation

South Africa has recently experienced a skyrocketing increase in fuel prices, with petrol and diesel hitting record highs in the month of October 2026 (Petrol reaching R30,25 per litre and Diesel reaching R35,00 per litre) because of ongoing conflict in the Middle East, among other reasons.

These increases necessitate an urgent but gradual shift towards green transportation, now more than ever before, for a country committed to Just Energy Transition (JET).

South Africa’s over-reliance on fossil fuels (oil, diesel, and petrol) to power vehicles is not only an economic burden to citizens but also an environmental cost to a large extent. Fossil fuels are causing harm to the natural environment as they release greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Conventional vehicles emitting GHGs contribute enormously to global climate change. South Africa is already the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases through the burning of fossil fuels, unsurprisingly because it is the biggest economy on the continent of Africa.

The South African Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana announced a temporary R10 billion fuel levy relief package during the 2026 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in October 2026. The temporary relief spans from 4 November 2026 to 5 January 2027; however, these measures are not a permanent, long-term sustainable solution. They are a temporary solution. If the war does not stop, fuel will continue to be in demand, and prices will skyrocket continuously. The increase in fuel prices causes a ripple effect. As fuel prices go up, food and transport costs go up too.

On the contrary, if there is a shift to green transportation powered by electricity, solar, and green hydrogen, it is guaranteed that South Africa will have an unlimited, sustainable supply of energy for transportation and other sectors of the economy, because South Africa is located in Africa, which receives unlimited sustainable natural solar energy throughout the year across all seasons. A shift to renewable and sustainable energy sources is not just a response to harsh economic conditions of higher fuel prices, but an act of environmental and social justice for the people and environment.

The situation confronting SA is an indication of the need for change; it must happen now, and not later. The world is facing a quagmire of global climate change, and shifting towards alternative sustainable fuel sources is a step in the right direction towards confronting global climate change at a more global level, while locally aiding individuals in dealing with their household needs and having more sustainable, cleaner, and safer fuel options.

These prevailing conditions necessitate people using public transport for travel and travelling only when necessary. Furthermore, the situation demands that individuals and fleet managers procure Electric Vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles as an option to avoid constantly increasing fuel prices. The shift will help the nation achieve the JET goals of zero carbon emissions by 2050.

EVs are a more advantageous alternative currently. They reduce reliance on fossil fuels and are relatively cheaper to operate over time compared to conventional vehicles despite having higher upfront costs. The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources’ Clean Fuels Two (CF2) regulations are expected to take effect in July 2027. This will upgrade national fuel quality specifications, significantly reducing harmful emissions, lowering the Sulphur content in petrol and diesel, and bringing the possibility of stricter fuel efficiency standards closer to meeting the national Green Transport Strategy goals. In sum, for a country that is pushing towards JET, green transportation is not just a solution; it is a sustainable long-term solution that has the potential to create new green jobs and reduce the emission of GHG. This, by all means, is a step in the right direction towards Just Energy Transition (JET) and subsequently Green Circular Economy (GCE).

Mafule Moswane is an adjunct geography lecturer at UNISA. He is a former lecturer at Kansas State University. Mafule obtained a Master’s of Science in Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Sciences from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. He writes in his personal capacity.