Diesel has been making the headlines for the wrong reasons of late. Health scares, city-center bans, and now, sky-high pricing. The RAC announced that diesel prices have reached 147.9p per liter, a new record.
But, what does the future hold for diesel? Does it still make sense as a new car purchase in 2024? And importantly, will it still make sense in 2024 and beyond?
Below we’ll answer those questions. But first, we’d highly recommend getting a car valuation. If you’re thinking of buying a new car, it’ll let you know how much your budget is. And even if you’re not looking at the moment, this might give you the incentive to start searching because of how strong used car prices are currently.
Table of Contents
People still love diesel. This means there’s still plenty of demand. Ultimately, that means car makers will continue selling new diesel in the UK right up until they’re banned, more of which can be read about below.
To reduce harmful emissions, car makers are forever innovating. This leads to a better product for the consumer.
There are some seriously tricky systems in the latest batch of diesel cars.
Start/Stop systems are incorporating the latest tech to make them smoother and easier to use than ever. Mild hybrid systems help further improve MPG thanks to marginal electrical inputs at important times.
And then there’s big stuff. For instance, VW’s ‘twin dosing’ Selective Catalytic Reduction system. The system incorporates two catalytic converters, ensuring that the feature is effective in almost any temperature. Lab reports have shown that this reduces NOx values by up to 80%.
One of the main downsides to diesel as a fuel source is the harmful levels of NOx it produces. This is most acutely dangerous in built-up areas, like cities.
One solution around this is to incorporate a plug-in hybrid system. This adds a battery that can be charged externally. This allows a plug-in hybrid diesel car to silently sneak through a city without producing any tailpipe emissions.
The Mercedes E-Class offers a diesel plug-in hybrid powertrain. It’s capable of more than 30 miles on a full battery too.
Used prices: Used prices are through the roof at the moment. This has a knock-on effect on many people. Some used cars (including diesel) are gaining 20% in value in the first six months after the sale, rather than the usual shedding of 5%.
Ultra-low emissions zones: Drive a pre-2015 diesel into London’s ULEZ and you’ll have to fork out a £12.50 daily levy. This is based on harmful emissions.
Basildon, Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Cambridge, Canterbury, Coventry, Derby, Exeter, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Oxford, Portsmouth, Sefton, Sheffield, Southampton, St Albans, Warrington, Wokingham, and York all have plans for Clean Air Zones, which might have similar ramifications.
The big one. You won’t be able to buy a new diesel (or petrol) car until 2030. Plug-in hybrid diesel (and petrol) will be banned from 2035. Heavier van sales will be electric-only from 2035 too. And it will be the age of electric vehicles.
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