Motorists hit by diesel price rises

HARD-PRESSED motor-ists are paying some of Europe’s highest prices for diesel — with experts predicting worse to come.

AA Ireland’s latest monthly survey of fuel prices shows diesel jumped to 124.6c a litre this month — a rise of 2% on March.

Only Germany, at 125.7c, and Italy, at 134.4c, have higher prices in the eurozone.

Irish motorists are now paying €68.53 to fill up with diesel and €66.39 for unleaded — up from €67.21 and €66.11 respectively last month.

Yesterday, AA Ireland blamed a world shortage of diesel for the climbing prices, which makes the fuel more expensive than petrol.

“This latest rise in diesel prices is a serious concern for hauliers, business and the rapidly growing numbers of private motorists who are choosing diesel,” said AA Ireland’s public affairs manager Conor Faughnan.

Last month, AA Ireland said the cost of diesel should have fallen below petrol as harsh winter weather drew to a close across Europe.

But a decision last year by oil companies to refine more petrol and less diesel led to an oversupply and caused lower petrol prices — yet diesel has remained high.

“There is a serious concern in the consumer’s mind that diesel is going up just when we are all being given incentives to buy diesel cars,” said Mr Faughnan.

Finance Minister Brian Cowen is changing the vehicle road tax system from July to encourage car buyers to opt for diesel models, which produce less pollution.