The Scottish Government has claimed petrol and diesel prices across the north and north-east could be slashed if the nation becomes independent.
SNP ministers have vowed to examine the benefits of introducing a fuel duty regulator to help hard-pressed commuters and businesses if people vote “yes” in the referendum next year.
They say the system, which cuts duty as prices rise, is the simplest and most effective way of stabilising prices, but successive Westminster governments have refused to implement it.
Nationalist MSP Dave Thompson, who represents Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, said 5p-per-litre price cuts in island communities introduced by the UK Government were welcome, but did not go far enough to help people.
The cut-price fuel scheme could be extended to parts of the mainland in the future.
A proposal for a fuel duty regulator is contained in the SNP government’s white paper on independence.
Mr Thompson said: “A regulator will stabilise prices for business and consumers across Scotland so that the wild fluctuations in fuel prices we have seen recently will become a thing of the past.
“I will also campaign that in an independent Scotland, the government will also introduce an effective discount for all rural areas.
“I applaud the islands discount introduced recently by the UK Government but, as we all know, this 5p discount does not go far enough in terms of the size of the discount and where it applies.”
Roads Haulage Association regional director for Scotland and Northern Ireland, Phil Flanders, said it had supported calls for a regulator in the past.
He added that it would help the industry “immensely” by getting rid of the highs and lows in prices and provide some confidence.
Mr Flanders said: “This is something we have been crying out for over a number of years – consistency in price.
“Would it make people vote for independence? I am not sure, but it will make people think twice.”
Inverness Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stuart Nicol said the body would “welcome anything” to help bring down the cost of fuel in rural areas.
But he added that he did not want to speculate on whether the policy would help persuade people to back independence.
Mr Nicol added: “It is up to people how they vote.”