The hundreds of thousands of Australians who flocked to buy diesel cars have been hit by a sharp rise in fuel prices that the Motor Trades Association says has been manipulated to ensure it’s no longer more expensive to drive petrol vehicles.

CEO Stephen Moir told Gareth Parker on 6PR Breakfast today’s record diesel price of $2.32 was also increasing cost-of-living pressures for Australians, given many freight and supply transport systems ran on diesel.

“They’re still getting good mileage out of their cars they’ve just been hit with these record prices,” Moir told Parker.

“It’s now no longer cheaper to run a diesel car.”

Tap PLAY to hear the wider impact of the diesel price on cost of living