Fuel prices ease in November as EV charging costs rise

AA Ireland's latest fuel price analysis shows a small fall in pump prices in November, while public EV charging costs have risen.

Petrol averaged €1.96 per litre in November, down 2.26 cents from the October average of €1.98, a decrease of approximately 1%.

Diesel averaged €2.13 per litre, down 1.87 cents from €2.15 in October, a decrease of approximately 1%.

Using the same tank assumptions as the monthly survey calculations, the November averages equate to approximately €78.36 for a 40-litre petrol fill and €106.45 for a 50-litre diesel fill.

Compared with October, that is €0.90 less for a petrol fill and €0.94 less for diesel, or €3.62 and €3.74 respectively across four fills in the month.

Key figures:

•Petrol: €1.96 per litre on average in November, down 2.26 cents from €1.98 in October

•Diesel: €2.13 per litre on average in November, down 1.87 cents from €2.15 in October

•Cost per fill: approximately €78.36 for petrol and €106.45 for diesel

The November decrease is modest compared with October's jump of 11.3 cents for petrol and 20.56 cents for diesel, so prices remain close to last month's highs. Diesel stays above €2 per litre on average, and petrol remains just below that level.

What is driving the change?

Pump prices are influenced by a range of international factors, including global oil prices, wholesale fuel costs, geopolitical developments and currency movements. Changes in these underlying costs can feed through to the prices motorists ultimately pay at the pump.

Electric vehicle charging costs

Public charging costs rose this month after ESB, Ireland’s largest charging network, increased its prices from 2 November for the second time this year.

Pay-as-you-go drivers using the ESB app now pay 83 cent per kWh at ESB fast chargers, up from 72 cent, and 70 cent per kWh at standard chargers, up from 60 cent.

Home charging has also become more expensive for some EV owners; Energia’s EV charging rates, for example, rose by 20% to 30% from 12 October.

Vehicle maintenance

AA Ireland remind motorists that regular vehicle maintenance can improve fuel efficiency and help reduce running costs.

Simple checks such as maintaining the correct tyre pressure, servicing your vehicle regularly and replacing worn air filters can all help improve efficiency.