The Diesel Debate - Fact or Fiction?

You’ve heard all the news on Deadly Diesel. Sifted through all the facts, figures and opinions. And you probably still don’t know exactly what to believe with ever-growing confusion for the consumer about Diesel vehicles.

 It’s no secret, Diesel has a bad reputation right now. The Volkswagen Emissions Scandal, where the company fitted ‘cheat devices’ to its vehicles, so when driven under test conditions would pass the emissions test, but in reality, failed under real driving conditions, has caused a wave of unrest within the industry. Are Diesel vehicles really the dirty, polluting, planet destroying monsters the media are making them out to be?

Let’s drill into some key points…

Diesel is still the fuel type of choice for the majority of the UK’s car buyers; one in every two new cars registered is a Diesel - with buyers valuing high performance and low fuel consumption. Surprised? Read on and you’ll find out why.

Since 2002, Diesel cars have saved 3.5 million tonnes of CO2 from going into the atmosphere. It remains critical in reducing emissions, as Diesel cars emit, on average 20% lower CO2 than petrol equivalents.

Euro 6 cars are the cleanest in history. Special filters and inventive technology means the NOx released from the engine now converts into harmless nitrogen and water before it reaches the exhaust. Contrary to what is being banded around in the media; car manufacturers share the same goal as the Government; to improve air quality and pave the way for cleaner, safer, more efficient cars.

There’s no doubt NOx emissions within urban areas remain a concern and road transport as a whole is responsible for around 50% of London’s NOx – Diesel cars, however, only produce 11% of this (concentrations will vary at different times depending on congestion). Couple this stat with the fact advanced technology has virtually eliminated emissions of particulate matter (hazardous air particles), with 99% of these soot particulates captured by special filters. I doubt you’ve read that in the press though.

And finally…

Auto Trader recently surveyed 13,000 people, 10,000 of which were in the process of selling their vehicle, and of those who owned a Diesel, 47% were planning on buying another Diesel. Tellingly only 10% stated that the recent debated had influenced their decision to sell their diesel car. The debate, will no doubt rumble on, but the stats show Diesel doesn’t mean dirty, and motorists aren’t ready to part company with their diesel vehicle, just yet.

If you’re still questioning whether a Diesel vehicle is the right move for you, feel free to visit your local West Way Dealership where our professional staff will run you through the benefits of a Diesel Vehicle across a number of our models including the New Micra, Juke, Qashqai and X-Trail or visit our website by clicking here.