When you pull up to a petrol pump in South Africa, you see a single price per litre. But buried in that number are multiple government levies that make up a substantial portion of what you pay. For 2026, the total government take on a litre of 95-octane inland petrol is approximately R6.35 per litre (statutory Budget 2026 rates).
Breaking Down the Government Component of Petrol
| Levy Component | Amount per Litre | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| General Fuel Levy | R4.10 | National Treasury / fiscus |
| Road Accident Fund (RAF) Levy | R2.25 | RAF compensation claims |
| Carbon Tax component | R0.19 | Climate change / National Treasury (component of GFL) |
| Customs & Excise | R0.01 | SARS import revenue |
| Total Government Levies | R6.35 |
* Figures are statutory Budget 2026 rates (permanent from 6 May 2026). The fuel price is regulated by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and changes monthly. Levies are fixed by Parliament and change annually.
The General Fuel Levy: Government's Petrol Tax
At R4.10/L, the General Fuel Levy is the largest levy component (increased from R4.03 in Budget 2026). Unlike the RAF levy (which funds a specific scheme), the General Fuel Levy flows directly to National Treasury as general government revenue.
⚠️ Temporary April 2026 Relief
Due to the global oil price spike, government implemented a temporary R3.00/L GFL reduction from 1 April to 5 May 2026. During this period, the effective petrol GFL is R1.10/L and diesel GFL is R0.93/L — bringing the total government levy to R3.35/L (petrol) and R3.18/L (diesel). The statutory Budget 2026 rates (R4.10/L petrol, R3.93/L diesel) resume from 6 May 2026.
South Africa's General Fuel Levy is one of the highest in sub-Saharan Africa. It applies equally to petrol and diesel (though diesel has a slightly lower rate: ~R3.93/L for the general levy component).
The Road Accident Fund Levy: Insurance You Pay Per Litre
The RAF levy of R2.25/L funds the Road Accident Fund — a state scheme that compensates victims of road accidents for loss of earnings, medical expenses, and general damages.
In principle, the RAF levy means that every driver contributes to a shared compensation pool based on how much they drive (and therefore how much fuel they use). However, the RAF is chronically underfunded despite rising levies — the organisation carries billions in claims liabilities and has been subject to multiple court orders for non-payment to claimants.
How Much Does an Average Driver Pay Per Year?
Let's put these numbers in context. Statistics South Africa estimates the average private vehicle drives approximately 15,000 km per year (1,250 km/month). For a sedan consuming 8L/100km:
- Annual fuel consumption: 1,200 litres
- Total fuel levies: 1,200 × R6.35 = R7,620/year (R635/month)
- Of which to National Treasury (General Levy): R4,920/year
- Of which to the RAF: R2,700/year
For a bakkie or SUV doing 12L/100km over the same distance:
- Annual fuel consumption: 1,800 litres
- Total fuel levies: 1,800 × R6.35 = R11,430/year (R952.50/month)
Diesel vs. Petrol Levies
Diesel users (bakkies, trucks, generators) pay slightly less in levies: approximately R6.18/L total (statutory Budget 2026), with the general fuel levy at R3.93/L and RAF levy at R2.25/L. The small differential reflects a historical concession to commercial transport and agriculture.
Note that diesel users do not pay a carbon tax via the fuel levy — they pay it through a separate carbon tax mechanism under the Carbon Tax Act 15 of 2019.
The Carbon Tax Component
South Africa introduced a Carbon Tax in 2019. The carbon fuel levy is now R0.19/L for petrol and R0.23/L for diesel (Budget 2026), embedded within the General Fuel Levy. This component has increased incrementally each year in line with the Carbon Tax Act's trajectory.
You can include your monthly fuel consumption in the BleedRate calculator to see exactly how much of your annual fuel spend goes to government levies — and how it fits into your total tax footprint.