Average fuel costs for diesel in Northern Ireland have climbed to their peak since the beginning of the conflict in Iran, according to figures released by the Consumer Council. Over the past week, the typical price for a litre of diesel stood at 193.3 pence.
While this figure remains slightly below the historic high of 197.2 pence per litre recorded in the summer of 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the current surge has already pushed some service stations to charge motorists £2 for a single litre. Prior to the US-Israeli military strikes on Iran in February, diesel was averaging approximately 132 pence per litre.
Data from the UK Department for Transport indicates that drivers in Northern Ireland depend on diesel more heavily than motorists elsewhere in the United Kingdom. More than half of private vehicles on Northern Ireland roads run on diesel, compared to roughly one-third across the UK as a whole. However, sales of new diesel cars in the region have dropped significantly in recent years, mirroring a broader national decline.
The price spike coincides with record-high diesel costs across the entire UK, a direct consequence of ongoing instability in the Middle East. The conflict has severely hindered both the production and transportation of wholesale oil within the region, triggering sharp increases in oil-based fuel prices.
US President Donald Trump has indicated he may urge European nations to release strategic diesel reserves to alleviate pressure. Additionally, he is evaluating a potential prohibition on American diesel exports, a move intended to shield US drivers from rising domestic costs.
Experts caution that banning US exports could inadvertently drive up prices globally, particularly if other nations struggle to secure alternative supplies. The United States currently exports between 1.2 million and 1.5 million barrels of diesel daily, playing a critical role in the international market. More than half of the diesel consumed in the UK is imported, with 31% originating from the United States.
Banning exports sounds good politically but economists say it inflates global prices. Might just end up making things worse for everyone.
The stats about Northern Ireland depending on diesel more than the rest of the UK are worrying. Transitioning fleets won’t be easy.
Is this really the peak or are we going to see it hit 200p next week? Supply chains are too volatile right now to be comfortable.
193p per litre? I remember when £2 a litre was unthinkable. The cost of living crisis just got a diesel-specific twist.
Interesting how no one mentions this would’ve been worse without US diesel exports. We’re lucky we’re still getting supply at all.
My commute just got significantly more expensive. This is going to hurt working families the most in Northern Ireland.