Petrol and diesel prices in Ireland have fallen for a second consecutive month, according to the latest AA Ireland fuel price survey published on 14 May 2026. This follows the sharp Q1 2026 price spike — driven by global oil supply disruption and the Iran conflict — which prompted nationwide protests and two rounds of government excise cuts. This guide gives you the current pump prices, explains what happened, and shows what to expect when the relief package expires in July.
Current fuel prices in Ireland (May 2026)
Average pump prices from the AA Ireland fuel price survey published 14 May 2026:
| Fuel | May 2026 average | April 2026 average | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (95 unleaded) | €1.82/litre | €1.91/litre | −9 cent |
| Diesel | €1.97/litre | €2.14/litre | −17 cent |
Diesel has eased more sharply than petrol month-on-month. These are national averages — prices vary by station and region. The retailer pass-through of April’s second excise cut (which took effect 15 April) has been more complete this month, and wholesale oil prices have come down from their April peak.
Total excise reductions still in effect since March 2026:
- Petrol: 27 cent per litre
- Diesel: 32 cent per litre
Without these cuts, current pump prices would be roughly €2.09/litre petrol and €2.29/litre diesel.
What happened: timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Early 2026 | Global oil supply disruption linked to Iran conflict drives wholesale prices up |
| March 2026 | Irish pump prices reach €2.05+ for petrol, €2.35+ for diesel |
| 25 March 2026 | Government cuts excise duty: 15c/litre petrol, 20c/litre diesel, effective immediately |
| 7 April 2026 | Nationwide protests begin — tractors, trucks, and blockades across the country |
| 12 April 2026 | Government announces €505 million support package, including further excise cuts |
| 15 April 2026 | Second excise cut takes effect: additional 10c/litre on both petrol and diesel |
| 14 May 2026 | AA Ireland survey shows further easing: petrol €1.82, diesel €1.97 |
| 31 July 2026 | Current excise cuts are due to expire |
| October 2026 budget | Carbon tax increase deferred to this point |
Why diesel is still more expensive than petrol
Diesel fuel costs more than petrol per litre in Ireland — and this has been the case since the oil supply disruption began. This is partly a global wholesale market effect (diesel and petrol are refined differently and follow different supply and demand curves), and partly a reflection of Irish tax structure.
Diesel cars are more fuel-efficient, so the higher per-litre price is partially offset. But the gap between petrol and diesel prices has narrowed the economic argument for diesel significantly. See Petrol vs Diesel vs Electric Running Costs for the full per-km breakdown.
What the excise cuts actually cost the government
The package announced on 12 April 2026 was valued at approximately €505 million. It included:
- Excise cuts on petrol and diesel (extended to 31 July)
- A 2.4 cent cut on green diesel (marked gas oil, used by farmers and hauliers)
- Direct payments to hauliers, bus operators, farmers, agricultural contractors, and fishing operators
- Deferral of carbon tax increase to October budget
This is a significant short-term intervention, but it does not change the structural position: Ireland imports all its oil and is fully exposed to global price movements.
What happens after July 2026
The excise cuts are explicitly temporary. Unless the government acts again — in the budget or through an emergency measure — pump prices will increase by approximately:
- Petrol: +27 cent per litre from August 2026
- Diesel: +32 cent per litre from August 2026
At current consumption levels, this means a typical petrol driver covering 15,000km per year will pay roughly €270 more per year from August compared to today, and a diesel driver around €290 more per year.
The carbon tax is also due to increase in the October budget, which will add a further increment to both petrol and diesel prices.
One quick fuel saver in the meantime
Under-inflated tyres are the most common avoidable cause of extra fuel use — typical real-world impact is 3–5% extra fuel consumption when tyres are 20% below the recommended pressure. A quick monthly check pays for itself in a week. Michelin digital tyre pressure gauge (affiliate)
Why EV charging costs are unaffected
Electricity prices in Ireland have not followed the oil price spike in this cycle. The wholesale electricity market is exposed to gas prices, but the Iran-linked disruption primarily drove oil prices rather than gas prices in early 2026.
As of May 2026, home charging costs for EV drivers remain at:
- Night-rate EV tariff: approximately 5–10 cent per kWh depending on supplier
- Standard day rate: approximately 35 cent per kWh
- ESB ecars public charging: approximately 45–55 cent per kWh
An EV driver covering 15,000km per year on a home night rate pays roughly €230/year in charging costs — compared to €1,500–1,750/year for a petrol or diesel equivalent at May 2026 prices, rising to €1,750–2,100/year if August’s price increases stick. See the full running cost comparison for the detailed breakdown.
If you are considering switching to an EV
The current fuel price crisis has accelerated EV interest in Ireland significantly. In January 2026, EVs outsold petrol cars in Ireland for the first time. March 2026 saw EV registrations 39% higher year-on-year.
If you are actively considering a switch, the relevant practical steps are:
- Assess home charging first. The economics of EV ownership depend heavily on being able to charge at home on a night tariff. See Home EV Charger Installation in Ireland.
- Check current grants. SEAI purchase grants and VRT relief are subject to change — check the SEAI website for current eligibility.
- Understand the public network. For trips beyond your vehicle’s range, you need to understand how Ireland’s public charging network works. See EV Charging in Ireland.
- Use pre-cut fuel prices as your planning baseline. The current excise relief is temporary. Calculate your running cost savings against the €2.05+ petrol / €2.35+ diesel prices — the case for an EV is even stronger at those levels.
Related guides
- Petrol vs Diesel vs Electric: Running Costs Ireland 2026
- EV Charging in Ireland: Home & Public Charging Guide
- Home EV Charger Installation in Ireland
- Night Rate & Time-of-Use Electricity in Ireland
- Choosing an EV Charger: Tethered vs Untethered
Sources: AA Ireland fuel price survey, May 2026 — RTÉ News, 14 May 2026 · AA Ireland fuel prices page · RTÉ News — excise cuts explainer, 15 April 2026 · Irish Times — fuel prices start to fall, 15 April 2026 · Government press release — fuel support package