Coalfields and Lower Hunter fuel prices reached all time highs this week as the cost per litre soared past $2 leaving fears it could push through to $3.
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Experts have warned that the fuel price escalation will continue, but warned calls to scrap the excise tax would be a "Band-Aid" solution to a problem impacting global oil supplies.
Prices in Maitland on Tuesday ranged from 209.7 at the 7-Eleven Rutherford to 211.9 at Ampol East Maitland. In the Coalfields prices were a little cheaper with 202.9 at Metro Cessnock to 210.9 at Caltex Kurri.
NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said he could not say prices won't reach $3. "We don't know what's going to happen," he said. "Global oil prices over the past six days have stabilised and in fact fallen quite dramatically but it's so volatile that things can change within hours."
Mr Khoury said the fuel excise is designed to raise taxes so the government has money to fix roads.
"Not just federally funded roads but state and more crucially councils. We've seen across the eastern seaboard the damage (from floods and rain) and councils are doing it tough and need that funding to rebuild road networks. That's why we have this excise. We want to drive on the safest roads possible and that saves lives," he said.
He said bowser increases were not within the control of the government.
"Sustainable and meaningful relief at the bowser will only come when oil prices fall," Mr Khoury said. "If that happens it takes seven to 10 days for wholesale prices to ease and then at the bowser."
