Sales of diesel cars fell again last month as more discerning motorists are seeking out greener alternatives.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said 78,778 diesels were sold in January, a drop of 4.3% on the same month last year.
During the same month sales of electric cars and other alternatively-fuelled vehicles (AFVs) accelerated by 19.9%.
In total 7,270 AFVs – including hybrids – were sold in January, giving them a 4.2% share in the new car market. It is the first time AFVs’ market share has exceeded 4%.
Industry experts confirmed that sales of diesel cars have in fact been falling for several months, possibly as a result of concerns about excessive pollution. Revelations that Volkswagen provided distorted emissions data have further damaged diesel car street cred.
VW’s “clean diesel” Golf
There is more doom and gloom on the way for diesel engines with Paris, Mexico City, Madrid and Athens revealing plans to ban all diesel cars within a decade.
Doctors have urged the Mayor of London to follow suit and many other capital cities around the world are looking on with bated breath.
Westminster City Council meanwhile is in the anti-diesel vanguard having confirmed it will penalise some diesel drivers with extra parking charges from April.
The Government is also thought to be planning a diesel scrappage scheme to encourage motorists to ditch high polluting cars.
There is further encouragement to ditch the diesel as the Government still offers motorists who buy electric or hybrid petrol/electric cars a grant of up to 35% – or £4,500 – of the vehicle’s value.
Toyota Prius, loved by taxi drivers everywhere
Despite the bad news for diesels, SMMT figures show overall sales of vehicles in the UK last month were at their highest January level in 12 years. In total 174,564 cars were sold, a rise of 2.9% on January 2016.