Diesel car sales drop by quarter

SALES of new diesel cars slumped by more than a quarter last month as drivers stuck to their old vehicles – or switched to petrol or green fuel.

In total, 163,615 cars were driven off forecourts in January, down 6.3 per cent from the same month in 2017. Sales of diesel cars fell 25.6 per cent to 58,703.

But sales of petrol cars rose 8.5 per cent to 95,892, while ‘alternatively fuelled’ cars such as hybrids and electrics jumped 23.9 per cent to 9,020. Until recently, roughly the same number of diesel and petrol cars were sold.

Environmental campaigners said drivers had ‘lost faith’ in diesels due to health fears. The cars have been targeted with tax hikes as part of efforts to tackle air pollution. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, which publishes the sales figures, said confusion over future policy caused motorists to ‘hesitate’ before buying a new car.