Diesel sales fall 9% in a year as motorists heed risks to health
SALES of diesel cars have slumped as a string of health warnings appears to be hitting home with motorists.
New car registrations fell to 36,981 in February – a year-on-year drop of 9.1 per cent, figures show.
Meanwhile, sales of petrol cars rose 5.8 per cent to 42,826 over the same period, according to data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Greener alternatives, including electric cars and hybrids such as the Toyota Prius, soared by 48.9 per cent – although only 3,308 were sold.
Diesels also dipped by 4.3 per cent in January – and means sales have now fallen for five months in a row.
Motor industry insiders stressed that February is typically a quiet month and warned against reading too much into the latest figures.
Last week the SMMT hit out at the ‘anti-diesel agenda’ and insisted modern engines are much cleaner.
But MPs said motorists appear to be heeding warnings about the health risks of diesels, which emit more nitrogen oxides than petrol cars.
Ministers are also likely to welcome the trend as they battle to meet EU air pollution targets. Transport secretary Chris Grayling has already warned motorists to think twice about buying a diesel car and encouraged them to switch to a low-emissions alternative.
Chancellor Philip Hammond is expected to announce a £270million investment to help firms pioneering electric cars and artificial intelligence in tomorrow’s Budget.
The Government is also understood to be considering a diesel scrappage scheme, while councils are considering imposing higher charges for diesel drivers to park or enter town centres.
Green Party MP Caroline Lucas said: ‘It’s good to see motorists heeding warnings from campaigners and ministers and moving away from die- sel. We know that air pollution from diesel ends thousands of lives prematurely.’
Campaigners have pointed out that millions of motorists were encouraged to buy diesel cars by the previous Labour government on the basis they emitted less of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. However, they pro- duce more pollutant particles and nitrogen oxides – including nitrogen dioxide – that are damaging to human health.
They have been linked to health problems such as asthma, heart and lung diseases and premature births.
But despite years of warnings, motorists have largely shrugged them off. However, Tory MP Charlie elphicke, chairman of the cross party FairFuelUK group, said: ‘The pollution problem is not solved by switching from diesel to petrol.
‘What we should be doing is encouraging more people to buy electric and increased taxes on new high emission gas guzzlers.’
‘Ends thousands of lives’