Doncaster named as most diesel dependent city in UK as prices rocket
More than four in 10 cars in Doncaster run on diesel, the study says
Doncaster has been named as the UK’s most diesel dependant city as fuel prices rocket.
More than four in 10 privately registered cars in Doncaster run on diesel, making it Britain's most diesel-dependent major city or town, according to new research.
Diesel prices may have dipped back below £2 a litre, but analysis from leading used car retailer Motorpoint shows local drivers could still pay an extra £511 a year in fuel, adding up to a staggering £31.7 million across Doncaster.
In fact, three of Britain's four most diesel-dependent major cities and towns are in South Yorkshire, with Rotherham ranking third and Barnsley fourth.
It said there are more than 62,000 privately registered cars in Doncaster running on diesel.
The findings come as average UK diesel prices sit at 199.80p per litre, after reaching 200.01p earlier this month.
Doncaster’s 41% diesel split narrowly leads Peterborough, where 40.3% of privately registered cars run on diesel.
Want more stories like this? Click here to get our daily newsletter
Both Rotherham and Barnsley have 38.3% of privately registered cars running on diesel, while nearby Wakefield also features in the national top 10, ranking eighth with 35.8%.
Together, Doncaster, Rotherham and Barnsley account for 156,838 privately registered diesel cars, potentially facing a combined £80 million in additional annual fuel costs.
According to the RAC, average UK diesel prices have dipped back below £2 per litre after reaching 200.01p earlier this month.
However, at 199.80p per litre, diesel remains considerably more expensive than at the end of February, when the average price stood at 142.38p per litre.
A separate Motorpoint survey found that 41% of diesel drivers say the cost of filling up is pressuring their finances, compared with 31% of petrol drivers.
But Tim Rodie, car expert at Motorpoint, says high fuel prices alone are not a reason to rush into selling.
He said: “Diesel prices might have dipped back below £2 a litre, but drivers are still feeling the pressure at the pump and might be considering whether their car still makes financial sense.
"While some motorists with a diesel car would undoubtedly benefit from selling and swapping to a different fuel type, those covering long distances towing heavy items could benefit from the fuel efficiency diesel offers on long journeys, even with the current prices at the pump.
“The best way to decide is to compare what your car costs you now with the realistic cost of changing. Look at your annual fuel and running costs, then find out what your current car is worth. Once you have those figures, you can see whether moving into a petrol, hybrid or electric car would actually leave you better off.”