Diesel prices in Northern Ireland have reached their highest point since the Iran conflict began, with the average price of a litre hitting 193.3p this week, according to Consumer Council data. This figure is below the record average of 197.2p seen in the summer of 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, though some filling stations are reportedly charging £2 per litre.
Before the US-Israeli attack on Iran in February, a litre of diesel cost approximately 132p. Data from the UK's Department for Transport indicates that motorists in Northern Ireland are more reliant on diesel vehicles than those in other parts of the UK. Over half of private cars on Northern Ireland's roads use diesel, compared with a UK average of one-third.
Despite this, sales of new diesel cars in Northern Ireland have declined sharply in recent years, mirroring a broader trend across the UK.