The pros and cons of driving a diesel
It remains horses for courses as search for alternative to fuel’s pulling power continues, writes
IWAS talking to a few farmers lately about how they see diesel playing out over the next few years. Some were genuinely worried, not least about a feared drop in trade-in values and an expected increase in cost at the pumps. But, as several asked, what else is there for them?
What other fuel is going to do what diesel does and has been doing for so long — pulling and dragging in all weathers and conditions?
We should not lose sight of the fact that a lot of the furore about the fuel stemmed from a passenger car being found to be cheating on emissions.
There was no cheating at farm level. Farmers have been driving diesel 4x4s and saloons for years. They know what MPG they were, and are, getting; they know how much they needed the pulling power and flexibility that the fuel provided.
We also need to be careful here we don’t overlook the fact that the explosion in diesel numbers erupted on the back of government legislation.
People got so caught up with the prospect of lower road tax, fuel costs and higher trade-in values that they reached ludicrous levels of decision making. People from suburbia were buying BMW 3-series diesels to take them to the shops a few times a week.
I know of cases where motorists amassed just 5,000km a year. Diesels were not meant for that sort of mileage or use.
Diesels were, and are, for long distance driving as well as giving loads of pulling power (for trailers and the like).
Yet after we’d gone with emissions-based taxation in 2008, no one paid the slightest heed to buying horses for courses. After all, hadn’t the government given its official stamp of approval in that year’s budget? Diesel was greener and cleaner than petrol, we were told.
So it was and (largely) still is if you only look at CO2 emissions.
It’s the NOx (nitrogen oxide) side of things that has come to the fore with claims and studies showing it can damage your health in built-up urban areas especially.
So now it’s ‘reverse ferret’ on diesel and ‘forward ferret’ on petrol, hybrids and electric vehicles. Good. About time we got balance. Because that is what’s happening; we’re merely rebalancing to pre-2008 levels albeit with an increasing measure coming from hybrids this time.
But should it mean throwing out diesels en masse?
I don’t believe so, generally speaking, and ask one simple question.
What is the alternative, for now, for many?
The (over?)reaction suggests some people are making the decision without properly thinking through the consequences.
I get several queries a week starting with a statement: “I drive a diesel but I want to get away from it.” Yet when we boil it all down many still need diesel because of the mileage they are covering and work they are doing. That applies most definitely to farmers and rural dwellers churning out long distances.
Of course where it suits, people are turning to petrol or hybrid or even electric. That is the critical point: ‘where it suits’.
Diesel will suit thousands for a long time yet, I believe. We overlook the fact that technology is making cleaner engines; many brands are way ahead of even the latest official levels for C02 emissions.
So there is a medium-term future for it though, of course, sales will continue to dip — that is the reality.
And beyond these next few years, who can tell about anything? From where I’m standing, government plans for an ‘electric Ireland’ by 2030 look increasingly remote. Will there be the capability and capacity to have electricity powering everything? I’ ll leave you to draw your own conclusions on that.
Despite all the change and talk of change, people, rural dwellers and long-commute drivers will need transport that is efficient and reasonably priced. That is the least they can expect with all the taxes they are paying.
Hybrids offer an increasingly persuasive alternative but if given half a chance diesel can remain a prime choice for tens of thousands for a good while yet.
So rather than get caught up in the whole emotional debate, and with your circumstances firmly to the fore, try the following as a rough guide to help you decide. It means putting in some research but you’ll be well rewarded:
Check your realistic annual mileage — many people underestimate this.
If it’s under 15,000km then petrol, hybrid or electric vehicles (EVs) have to come strongly into the reckoning.
If it’s more than 20,000km/year you’re probably into diesel v hybrid territory (though petrol/EV advocates can claim inclusion).
30,000km+? Strong leaning towards diesel (hybrid, petrol, EV advocates would claim inclusion).
Factor in the cost of diesel — initial price, estimated primary running costs (fuel consumption, servicing, average depreciation etc).
Factor in cost of petrol — initial price, estimated running costs etc.
Factor in cost of hybrid/ plug-in — initial price, estimated running costs etc.
Factor in cost of electric vehicle (where applicable) — initial price, estimated running costs etc.
On a score of 1-10, try to rate diesel, petrol, hybrids, electric vehicles in terms of overall cost, feasibility and — most importantly — suitability for your everyday driving needs.
I’m not saying it’s a waterproof formula but it might help give a clearer picture of what’s best for you.
HYBRIDS OFFER AN INCREASINGLY PERSUASIVE ALTERNATIVE