Diesel share of new car market in decline

Diesel’s share of the UK new car market is set to gradually decline from 50% to less than one-third in the years to 2025, notably as fleets take a more “open-minded approach” to petrol-engined cars and demand for plug-in and hybrid models increases.

 

That’s the conclusion of a new ‘Petrol versus Diesel’ report from the consulting arm of motor industry date suppliers and forecasters CAP HPI.

 

Last year business and fleet sales accounted for 1.5 million new car registrations, 55.2% of total new car volume and almost 60% of diesel models. But, in the private sector petrol-engine new car registrations dominate.

 

However, the report highlights three key factors that could undermine demand for diesel vehicles over the next decade: Environmental issues and concerns around air quality particularly with NOx from diesel emissions resulting in the advent of Clean Air Zones; improved petrol-engine technology eliminating the MPG advantages of diesel cars; and the increased range and user-convenience of alternatively-fuelled cars such as hybrids, plug-in hybrids and 100% electric vehicles.