This is the most fuel-efficient province in South Africa

Limpopo has been declared the most fuel-efficient province in South Africa according to Discovery Insure’s latest Drive Trends report, with an average economy rating of 6.0l/100km.

Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, and the Western Cape, on the other hand, are the least fuel-efficient provinces in the country, with these regions averaging 1.0l/100km more than all the others.

“If Gauteng drivers had the same fuel efficiency as Limpopo drivers, they could save almost 20% of their fuel bill every month,” said Discovery.

The cost of fuel price hikes

In addition to determining the most frugal province in the country when it comes to fuel usage, Discovery used its wealth of data on its clients’ driving behaviours to determine the extent to which propellant price hikes impact the average driver.

The insurer found that when the price is around R22 per litre, the average client spends approximately R1,950 per month on fuel.

However, when the fuel price increases above R24 per litre, clients spend in the region of R2,150 each month and get almost 3 litres less when they refill.

Time spent on the roads

On average, South African drivers are in their cars for 15 days a month, with the most driving taking place on Fridays and the least on Sundays.

The average trip distance is pegged at 12km, and the majority of motorists take around 55 trips per month – which is still 15 trips fewer than they did before Covid-19.

Other interesting findings included:

• People drive 18% faster between 06h00 and 10h00, than between 16h00 and 20h00
• Trips shorter than 20km, often taken in high-traffic areas, are driven 3 times slower than trips longer than 500km
• Trips starting between 03h00 and 05h00 take twice as long as trips between 07h00 and 08h00 due to longer distances
• On average, people drive around the world 13.3 times in their lifetime, equivalent to 1.5 years of continuous driving

Discovery also noted that optimising the time at which they travel will help most motorists cut down the number of hours they spend on the roads.

Instead of starting a trip in rush hour, which is between 07h00 and 08h00, drivers can save 14% more time by taking off between 06h00 and 07h00, and 11% more time by starting after 08h00.