The Victorian government has introduced a significant update to its Service Victoria app, aiming to enhance transparency in fuel pricing. The new feature, Servo Saver, launched today, will highlight service stations with the highest fuel prices in real-time, effectively “naming and shaming” those retailers. Meanwhile, it also indicates where drivers can find the lowest prices. On the app, the most expensive fuel options are marked in red with a label stating “highest,” while the cheapest options appear in green and are labelled “lowest.”
As of today at 8.30am, Shell in Hawthorn was reported as charging the highest price for unleaded 91 fuel at a substantial $3.50 per litre. Conversely, a nearby 7-Eleven was offering the lowest price at $2.18.9 per litre. Although the app aims to provide accurate pricing, users have reported glitches in the past, with some inconsistencies in price displays. The media has reached out to Shell to confirm the prices shown in the app.
Servo Saver utilises live data to aggregate pricing from over 1,200 fuel retailers across Victoria, enabling motorists to compare options easily. The app was first introduced in early March, requiring fuel vendors to set their prices for the following day by 2pm. Retails that do not comply with the app’s reporting standards could face immediate penalties.
Currently, approximately 520,000 users are utilising the app, signifying a substantial uptake among motorists. This latest feature is part of the government’s broader “Fair Fuel Plan,” with the first phase focused on ensuring price transparency. Future enhancements will see the second phase, which requires retailers to lock in maximum prices for a 24-hour timeframe, further regulating fuel pricing in the state.
Overall, this initiative not only aims to empower consumers by providing them with essential fuel price information but also places pressure on retailers to maintain competitive pricing practices.