UK drivers not ready to ditch diesel just yet despite pressure to go green

Diesel drivers in the UK are not prepared to switch to more environmentally-friendly models, unless they are offered considerable incentives to do so.

According to a survey of 2,000 motorists, 64 per cent of diesel drivers would not get rid of their vehicles unless a scrappage scheme for the older, more polluting models was introduced.

Of those surveyed, 83 per cent believed that clean, green cars are overpriced compared with regular petrol and diesel models, even though manufacturers are taking steps to making the technology more accessible.

Carwow, an independent car buying website, conducted the poll and has also revealed that enquiries for new diesel vehicles have dropped by 20 per cent since the start of 2017. This decline will likely have a lot to do with the recent bad press surrounding pollution from diesel cars.

With the current negative attitudes towards diesel emissions surfacing 16 years after an earlier government was promoting the benefits of the fuel, consumers are sceptical about whether policy might change again.

More than 50 per cent of survey respondents believed that diesel would fall back in favour within three years, and 24 per cent thought that a new diesel tax would never come into effect.

Surprisingly, 70 per cent were not aware of the present government grants and schemes that encourage motorists to buy green vehicles.

As far as a diesel scrappage scheme is concerned, 50 per cent of survey respondents said they wouldn’t get rid of their car for anything less than £3,000, while one in six said it would take a minimum of £7,000 for them to scrap their diesel vehicle.

Karen Hilton, head of sales operations at Carwow, said: “Motorists see the recent demonising of diesel as a knee-jerk reaction from government. Without sufficient incentive to switch, people are sensibly sitting tight.

“The reality for most is that ditching a diesel car is not financially viable. And depending on what kind of journeys you undertake, a diesel may still be a cheaper car to run.

“Advances in technology mean that modern diesel cars are cleaner than ever, so pressure on motorists to abandon diesel is misguided.

“The industry can do more, and is working to improve technologies all the time, but no matter how much people care about driving the cleanest possible car, budgets will always be the deciding factor.”

Jan Stannard, co-founder of Chargie – a company that allows homeowners to rent their private charge points out – said: “For many people, petrol and diesel cars are still an attractive option as the sticker price for these vehicles is often lower than for electric cars.

“However, when running costs, maintenance, tax, and insurance are factored in, many would be surprised at the cost savings that driving an electric car can bring.

“Right now, electric vehicles make up a tiny proportion of all new cars sold, but with up to £4,500 government grants and almost every vehicle manufacturer bringing out plug-in models, the days of petrol and diesel dominance are numbered.”