The Victorian government has introduced a new feature in its Service Victoria app called Servo Saver, aimed at enhancing fuel price transparency for consumers. This feature will publicly highlight the highest and lowest fuel prices charged by service stations across the state, allowing motorists to make informed choices about where to fill up.
Under this initiative, the station with the highest price will be clearly marked in red, labelled as “highest,” while the one offering the lowest price will be shown in green, labelled as “lowest.” For instance, at 8.30 am today, the Shell station in Hawthorn was noted for having the highest price, charging $3.50 per litre for unleaded 91. On the other hand, the cheapest rate of $2.18.9 per litre could be found at the nearby 7-Eleven in Hawthorn Church.
Despite its benefits, users have reported glitches in the app that led to discrepancies in the displayed prices. The government has indicated that it is addressing these issues, with Nine.com.au attempting to confirm current prices with Shell.
Servo Saver gathers real-time data from over 1,200 retailers, enabling users to compare prices effortlessly. Since its launch in early March, the app has become an essential tool for approximately 520,000 users. Fuel retailers are obligated to update their prices daily by 2 pm, and those found non-compliant face immediate fines.
This initiative is part of the state’s broader “Fair Fuel Plan,” of which Servo Saver is the first phase. The second phase will enforce a 24-hour price lock for retailers, further stabilising fuel prices for consumers.
In summary, the Servo Saver feature not only empowers Victorians to find the best fuel prices but also aims to create a more transparent fuel pricing landscape by holding retailers accountable for their pricing practices.