Petrol up 38 cents since beginning of year

Petrol costs 38 cents more per litre than it did at the beginning of the year and diesel is 32 cents more, the AA said today.

Petrol prices rose to their highest level, up six cents halfway through July, to $1.77 per litre for 91 octane.

The price of diesel rose four cents at the same time, to end the month at $1.28 per litre.

AA Motoring Affairs general manager Mike Noon said the increase were largely due to increasing tensions in the Middle East.

"If anything, motorists were insulated a little from further price rises by our exchange rate, which recovered nearly two cents in July. That said, the increasing tensions in the Middle East mean nervous speculation over fuel supply continues, so it is not a time to relax," he said.

Mr Noon said motorists can save fuel by driving smoothly and avoiding unnecessary hard acceleration.

"A relaxed driving style can save up to 25 per cent in fuel. The AA encourages motorists to relax their driving style a bit, drop the speed, arrive safely and leave a few more dollars in their pocket rather than at the service station.".

- NZPA