Motorists driving diesel vehicles are forking out nearly 20c more per litre every time they fill up compared to those with petrol engines, new research reveals.
Fuel prices have surged so much over the last year the Government slashed excise duty in a bid to keep the country moving and the cuts will remain in place until February 28 2023.
Research from the AA found on average those driving vehicles that use diesel are spending €2.02 per litre while those with petrol fork out just €1.84.
Read More: How much you can expect to pay at the pumps as diesel prices increase yet again
Diesel prices is now at its second-highest monthly average price on record, according to the data.
The AA also found the price of diesel has risen by nearly 30% compared with October 2021 while the cost of petrol has gone up by 11% over the same time period.
AA Ireland’s Paddy Comyn said: “We have seen quite a spike in the price of diesel in the last month, even though petrol prices have remained largely stagnant over the same period."
He added: “Sales of diesel cars were very much in the majority from 2008 until quite recently, so these high fuel prices will be affecting large amounts of motorists nationally, at a time when energy prices are rising across the board.”
The AA concluded it would now cost a person driving a petrol car €2,210 to fill it every year at current prices compared with €2,020 for some with a diesel vehicle - which is €126 more than in October 2021.
They calculated a diesel car will travel, on average, around 850km on a tank vs 700km in petrol, which is why even though diesel is more expensive, the consumer is still likely to use less of it for the same average 17,000km per year.
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