As the federal government officially ends its temporary fuel excise discount and restores the full 52-cent-per-litre tax, Australian motorists face an escalating cost-of-living shock, compounded by global crude oil volatility driven by Middle East tensions and Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries.

RACQ economist Dr Ian Jeffreys joined Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Mornings to warn that diesel could surge toward $2.50 per litre and petrol will continue to climb, advising drivers to use comparison apps to find independent retailers that maintain lower prices rather than panic-buying fuel.