- Diesel demand up 70% over two decades
- RAC Foundation predicts diesel will sell 4 times as fast by 2030
- Pollution problems are causing uproar across the country
Diesel cars are dominating the headlines right now, with both the media and motorists voicing concerns over the future of the fuel. As new reports highlight the growing problem of manufacturer’s cars exceeding EU emissions laws and the demand for diesel continues to increase, the car industry is coming under fire.
So what’s all the fuss about and should diesel drivers be considering alternative options?
Diesel Drought
As the demand for petrol slowly decreases, the desire for diesel continues to soar – and with not enough refineries capable of producing the fuel, the gap between supply and demand is set to increase. The UK’s refineries have dropped from nine in 2009 to just six in 2015 – with many of the buildings which are still capable of producing diesel also set to be sold.
The RAC Foundation motoring charity has compiled a report of petrol and diesel statistics – and the results are unnerving for those in the automobile industry. While petrol plummets in popularity, diesel sales have risen dramatically over the last decade – with the report claiming figures have rocketed from 1.6m diesel cars on the road in 1994 to 11m in 2014.
The Price of Pollution
With the country up in arms about diesel car pollution figures, Transport & Environment have had their say by putting together a list of things which should deter drivers from opting for a diesel-powered car. Many brands have been found to be exceeding EU pollution restrictions and London’s Mayor Boris Johnson has announced diesel drivers will suffer from an extra £12.50 congestion charge if emissions standards aren’t being met by 2020.
As cars continue to spew out excessive emissions, some of the world’s biggest motoring manufacturers have found themselves under scrutiny. Diesels are infamous for their high levels of nitrogen oxides and dioxides emissions – collectively known as NOx – and Audi in particular has been linked to emissions exceeding up to 22 times the legal limit. These dangerous emissions can cause any number of side effects, including lung issues and breathing problems – casting a further shadow over the production of diesel cars.
Problems at the Pump?
As the diesel demand takes the country by storm, fuel costs are under the spotlight – and surprisingly, diesel prices look likely to decrease. Last month, the AA reported that diesel prices had dropped to 11.9 pence per litre, making the fuel 3p cheaper than petrol – but while diesel might come with an attractive price tag for the time being, plummeting prices could mean a fight over fuel.
In March 2009, diesel prices fell to just £1 a litre and in light of the latest changes, the RAC are predicting drivers could once again benefit from similar savings at the pump. But the AA aren’t so sure, recommending that drivers make the most of the appealing prices while they last – and prepare for fuel costs to rise again as autumn rolls in.
As the war over fuel prices rages on and the demand for diesel continues to grow, for now, the future of the UK’s most popular car fuel looks uncertain. If you want to keep up to date with the latest car news and find out which cars have the lowest CO2 emissions, check out our car blog today.
