Most Brits planning to ditch diesel cars

UK motorists look set to go green in the near future, as 55% plan to swap diesel for a more ‘planet-friendly’ alternative with their next car purchase.

A study of 2,000 motorists currently in the market for a new vehicle found 42% are concerned that they may be taxed more in the near future if they decide to buy a vehicle which runs on diesel.

As a result, more than half are considering switching to a car which runs on a more eco-friendly fuel in the near future, while 53% think diesel vehicles will become less popular over the next two years.

Despite concerns about rising diesel tax, three in five drivers have no idea what the changes to the Vehicle Excise Duty are and what they entail.

Of those who do understand what the VED is, 76% believe the legislation – which will tax diesel vehicles more heavily from April 2019 – is punishing diesel drivers.

A spokesperson for Vantage Leasing, which commissioned the study, said: “Whether drivers are making a concerted effort to be greener, or because they want to avoid the rising taxation on diesel vehicles, it looks like a shift to eco fuels is coming.

“And while many drivers seem unaware of the changes coming to the Vehicle Excise Duty, it seems to be doing its job in dissuading the purchase of new diesel vehicles.”

Of the drivers considering making the switch, 40% are doing so because they want to drive a vehicle which is better for the environment.

Four in five drivers surveyed consider themselves ‘eco-conscious’, 83% are concerned about the future of the planet, while 63% currently worry about the effect their vehicle is having on the planet.

Tesla is the car brand drivers most associate with environmentally-friendly driving, followed by Toyota and Nissan.

When asked to consider which kind of engine produces the best performance, petrol is perceived as the best, followed by diesel.

Only one in 10 thought a hybrid engine would produce the best performance and five per cent favourite an electric engine.