Diesel Prices Drop 56.3c in Two Weeks: Dramatic Relief Continues

Diesel prices in Western Australia have continued their dramatic decline, falling 56.3 cents per litre over a two-week period, according to the latest data from FuelWatch WA. This follows a peak of 326.4 cents per litre recorded on April 9, 2026, with prices set to drop further to 270.1 cents per litre by Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

The downward trend in diesel pricing aligns with broader national patterns observed in the United States, where the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported a 5.3 cent per gallon decline in the benchmark diesel price for the second consecutive week, bringing the U.S. Average to $3.582 per gallon. This marks the most significant two-week decrease since December 2023, with a cumulative drop of 11.5 cents over the period.

In Perth, the average price of unleaded petrol (ULP) is set to rise from 189 cents per litre on Tuesday to 193.9 cents per litre on Wednesday, according to FuelWatch WA, despite the diesel price relief. Ampol is implementing the largest increase, raising ULP prices by 23.6 cents per litre to 209.7 cents per litre, while United and Vibe are offering relief with price drops of 4.7 cents and an unspecified amount, respectively.

Regional variations in diesel pricing are evident across Australia, with Kalgoorlie/Boulder expected to see the largest drop of 5.5 cents per litre, while other regional centres will also benefit from bowser relief despite metropolitan petrol price increases.

The decline in diesel prices is attributed to falling crude oil prices, with ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) futures on the CME commodity exchange settling at $2.1799 per gallon — their lowest point since early December 2025. Since hitting a recent high of $2.5034 per gallon on February 20, 2026, ULSD futures have dropped 32.35 cents per gallon, indicating potential for further cost reductions in the coming weeks.

For trucking companies and fleet operators, diesel expenses remain one of the largest operational costs, second only to labor. Many fleets rely on fuel surcharge programs to offset price volatility, but the current downward trend in diesel prices offers direct savings for carriers and shippers alike, reducing overall transportation costs in the short term.