Drivers of petrol cars have suffered a 13pc hike in their fuel bills in the last six months - and prices are continuing to rise But motorists who choose diesel engines are paying substantially less. The AA says that prices are up just 8pc in the same period. A survey by the Irish Independent reveals the wide disparity of prices charged at garage forecourts. In some cases, there is a 10c-per-litre difference. In the survey of 32 garages:
• the cheapest petrol was at the Applegreen service station on the M1 at Balbriggan, Co Dublin, at 138.8c per litre.
• This is 7.1c cheaper per litre than the dearest, Texaco on the M7 Mayfield Service areas, near Monasterevin in Co Kildare.
• The cheapest place to buy diesel is Maxol in Harold's Cross in Dublin, where it costs 121.7c.
• This is 10.1c cheaper per litre than the most expensive, Topaz at the M8 Cashel service area in Tipperary.
• The survey also shows that Applegreen, which operates service areas across the motorway network, charges different prices in some stations.
• The cost of a litre of petrol at Applegreen on the M1 south service area in Balbriggan is 138.8c, but less than 30 minutes along the motorway at the M1 north service area in Castlebellingham, it is 4c more expensive.
• This also applies for diesel, which has a 2c price difference between the two stations. Applegreen could not be reached for comment.
