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Two years ago we bought a diesel ute (Holden rodeo) but the costs of diesel have gone up faster than petrol.

Have the AA done a study on whether the common diesel workhorse is still economical - we suspect we spend more that we would on a petrol vehicle??

It's now over $100 of diesel to fill up. - eek!

Kelly

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 14 December 2009

The question you have forwarded is one many people will be asking themselves with the way fuel prices are increasing at the moment, particularly diesel.

A diesel comes into its own when the vehicle is required to do a specific job such as towing or when low down power or torque is required. In this situation you have to ignore the fuel cost difference because the vehicle has been purchased for a specific role.

If the vehicle is not used in such a way and the distances travelled are say less than 14,000km's per year, then petrol can start to become a better option. By the time Road User Charges and the potential higher maintenance costs are factored in, it can become an expensive exercise owning a diesel vehicle on today's prices.

The big saving is on the fuel consumption and the saving diesel provides over petrol which can be significant for some models.

The other factor to remember also is the initial purchase price. For many purchasing a diesel powered vehicle is an additional cost over a petrol.

You purchased your diesel vehicle when the equation was more in your favour because of the difference in petrol v diesel prices. You can't predict what is going to happen in the future unfortunately.

It's extremely hard to do a straight comparison on one fuel over another based on the above.

It's very much what suits ones needs.