The average price of fuel dropped in December, according to a new survey from the AA.
It has been hailed as some “respite” for motorists as the festive season approaches.
On average, fuel prices have dropped by 10.5% for both petrol and diesel across the state.
Petrol is slightly cheaper than diesel at the moment, with an average price of €1.60 per litre. This is a decrease of 17 cents, or 9.8%, on November 2022’s prices. It is also the lowest average price for petrol since September 2021.
Diesel had been steadily increasing, according to the AA, but is down by 22 cents per litre, or 11.3%, from November. This means the average price of diesel is currently €1.74.
A statement from AA Ireland said that this was the “lowest price recorded in Ireland for diesel since February of this year, the same month that the war began in Ukraine (February 20, 2022)”.
Head of Communications Paddy Comyn said: “The average price of fuel has dropped by an average of more than 10% across the state, offering some respite for motorists as they head into the festive season, according to the latest AA Ireland Fuel Survey.
"These latest price reductions come at a good time for motorists, hauliers and commercial operators alike.
“There is no firm indication on how long these prices will last, but for now, they give consumers some slight respite against ever-increasing prices.”
Speaking to RTE’s Morning Ireland, Comyn added: “For now, it’s a good time to fill your tank, but look, the price of the barrel of oil is likely to rally again.
“We’re starting to see that come back up again as there is news of the China economy opening up. Things like that will all increase the prices so we might see those rally back but for now, it is a good time to fill the tanks," he said.
It’s also worth noting that the AA calculates that a diesel car will travel an average of about 850km on a tank, whilst a petrol tank would travel an average of 700km. This is why, they say, that 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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