Diesel costs in Northern Ireland reach peak since conflict with Iran started

Motorists in Northern Ireland are paying an average of 193.3p for a litre of diesel according to figures released by the NI Consumer Council.

This represents the highest cost per unit since the conflict between Iran and Israel began in February this year.

Prior to that military engagement, fuel was significantly cheaper, with the average price sitting at approximately 132p.

The surge in expenditure reflects a broader pattern where drivers across the region are increasingly dependent on diesel-powered vehicles.

Data from the UK's Department for Transport indicates that private car ownership in Northern Ireland relies more heavily on diesel than anywhere else in Britain.

Current statistics show that just over half of all private cars on the roads here run on diesel, compared to a third across the United Kingdom as a whole.

Despite this reliance, sales of new diesel vehicles have dropped sharply in recent years, mirroring a decline seen throughout the UK.

The current weekly average remains below the record high of 197.2p recorded during the summer of 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, though some stations are already charging two pounds per litre.