Nightmarish decisions lie ahead on fuel rationing, but better to go hard early

March 23, 2026 — 11:50am

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Fuel rationing is looming as a real possibility in coming weeks. There’s already discussion of some relatively soft steps which could include rationing of access to petrol based on odd/even number plates; driving every second day; working from home and speed limits.

One problem with soft approaches (often proclaimed by governments with much fanfare) is that rather than reducing demand, they induce a rush to the bowsers by a public troubled by the adoption of rationing.

It is instructive to look at what happened in World War II. Every vehicle owner received a ration book with coupons which showed allowed purchases of a fixed amount of petrol. Without a coupon, motorists could not buy petrol. In addition, allocation was prioritised for essential industries (farming, freight, doctors and emergency services).

This left very little available for everyday motorists, but supplementary rations were allocated if........

© The Sydney Morning Herald