Petrol price soars 16c/litre

Kent Acott, The West Australian February 21, 2013, 5:20 am

Motorists queued at service stations across Perth last night, trying to beat a fuel price rise as high as 16ï¿½ a litre.

Petrol prices are set to hit a 10-month high today, with some service stations increasing the price of unleaded to an average of 155.9ï¿½ a litre - the highest since April last year.

Some outlets will have their price as high as 159.9ï¿½.

Since mid-January, average prices have climbed 9ï¿½ a litre.

The cheapest petrol, at 138.8ï¿½, will be available at Caltex Woolworths outlets in Canning Vale, South Lake and Greenwood. The average LPG price will jump to 75.3ï¿½ today, with the cheapest - 70.9ï¿½ - at United Northbridge.

Commsec chief equities economist Craig James said that with terminal gate prices on the increase, average retail prices were likely to rise further over the next seven to 10 days.

"The average monthly (fuel) bill has risen by $12 since the start of the year," he said.

Follow thewest.com.au on Twitter