Jill Woodland of Bonny Hills bought her diesel-powered Holden Captiva in January of this year.

The TAFE teacher thought it would be cheaper to run than a petrol-fuelled vehicle.

But higher diesel prices have bucked that idea with the average price for diesel in Port Macquarie sitting at 154.9c per litre on Wednesday. Unleaded was 118.7c.

“I thought a diesel car would be more economical and more environmentally friendly,” she said.

“I always thought diesel was cheaper to produce than petrol.”

The mother-of-one said it now costs her about $90 a tank though this peaked at about $120 at one stage.

Mrs Woodland said she was concerned not only for herself, but others being affected.

“A lot of industries rely on diesel,” she said.

“I am surprised there hasn’t been more outcry from the industry.

“It must be very expensive for them.”

She said she hoped the cost of diesel would match the falling cost of petrol, particularly because she used her car to visit her daughter in Sydney.

An NRMA spokesman said diesel’s fall in price had not matched that of petrol for two reasons.

“Firstly, diesel is usually sold on a contract basis,” he said.

“Apart from that, there is a lot more competition for diesel – there is greater demand for it in the market because of developing countries that use it for production and manufacturing.”

But, he said, the global economic crisis should see it fall further in price in the future.

“I would think the slowdown in the world’s economy and the slide in demand by China and India would affect prices and see a decrease,” he said.