MOTORING
better the Diesel You Know Last year, a record 1.3 million new diesel cars were registered in the UK, up 0.6% on the previous year – a trend that’s continuing in 2017. In March, more businesses and consumers chose a new diesel car than in any other month in history. It’s clear that consumers love diesels despite the bad press.
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Between 2008 and 2015, Volkswagen rigged diesel cars so they could pass stringent environmental tests whilst emitting dangerous levels of pollution.
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Volkswagen, however, has seemingly got away lightly from this, with sales largely unaffected, but should consumers be punished for Volkswagen’s misconduct?
however, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) estimates diesel cars emit 20 per cent less CO2 per kilometre than their petrol counterparts.
With that said, the SMMT has published some interesting facts about diesel fuel to help further understanding about these concerns:
• Diesel is critical to reducing CO2 emissions, which in turn is tackling climate change as diesel cars emit, on average, 20% lower CO2 than petrol equivalents. Since 2002, diesel cars have saved 3.5 million tonnes of CO2 from going into the atmosphere. • Almost one in every two new cars registered in the UK is a diesel, with buyers valuing their high performance and low fuel consumption. On average, diesels use 20% less fuel than like for like petrol models. • Advanced diesel technology has virtually eliminated emissions of particulate matter, with 99% of these soot particulates captured by special filters fitted to all new diesel cars since 2011. Around half of diesels on the road now boast a DPF. • The latest Euro 6 vehicles are the cleanest in history. As well as special filters, they also feature clever technology that converts most of the NOx from the engine into harmless nitrogen and water before it reaches the exhaust. • Diesel cars are not the main source of urban NOx. In London, gas heating of homes and offices is the biggest contributor, responsible for 16%. While road transport as a whole is responsible for around half of London’s NOx, diesel cars produce just 11%.
In 2017, drivers in 35 towns and cities across England could soon be hit with a new £20 a day ‘toxins tax’ in addition to driving restrictions in city centres, according to reports. In addition, British Prime Minister Theresa May has asked officials to develop plans for a scrappage scheme for diesel cars as part of proposals to improve air quality.
So, if you’ve just bought a diesel car or are planning to buy one – just ask your dealer any questions you may have, and consider looking at alternatives if you were thinking of buying a Volkswagen.
Studies have since shown that particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from diesel vehicles are detrimental to health,
Look at the tax brackets, check its proposed emissions and compare it with petrol alternatives – not hybrids, unless you’re the evil one!
Diesels are not the enemy, they’re just misunderstood. The seemingly ‘efficient’ and ‘environmentally friendly’ hybrid takes a far heavier toll on the environment than its counterparts and petrol is largely inefficient and tax-unfriendly. So what do you do? I’d stick with the efficient diesel for now, as the technology is only getting better.
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