Sales of diesel vehicles are declining-according to SMMT, the number of registrations of diesel vehicles has fallen More than 60% since 2020, Aston University predicts that they will only account for 15% of the UK market by 2025, Below the 50% peak value.
There are many reasons for this decline. The main reason is that consumers use money to vote for green votes; the 2015 Volkswagen scandal, the implementation of the new ULEZ (ultra-low emission zone) and increased awareness of environmental issues, all consumers can buy cars Make more informed decisions at the same time.
But what does it mean to buy a vehicle wisely? Should we still buy diesel cars? Or is it an industry we are happy to say goodbye to?
Is diesel bad?
On its own, no. This problem arises when it is used as a fuel for modern cars.
Although diesel cars use less fuel to run, and diesel fuel actually contains less carbon dioxide than gasoline, it also releases toxic pollutants as by-products.
Diesel vehicles may be cheaper to run and therefore very attractive, but they produce a series of nitrogen oxide chemicals-harmful substances that have a direct impact on humans, not just the environment. Nitrogen oxides are also considered to be greenhouse gases, so although diesel produces less carbon dioxide, the chemicals they release are far more dangerous than gasoline cars.
This is why the 2015 Volkswagen scandal hit so many people so hard. We have not only been misled in terms of environmental safety, we have also been misled in terms of personal safety, and our ability to make informed consumer decisions has also been deprived. In fact, even in 2019, the account was talking about the scandal and its impact on the entire market on Twitter.
The ripple effect of the Volkswagen “Diesel Gate” scandal still exists https://t.co/tKYJTw14nE pass through @IrishTimesBiz
-Emissions Scandal (@EmissionsFail) May 9, 2019
Volkswagen has to withdraw 8.5 million cars from Europe alone, and there are 1.2 million cars in the UK alone.In normal use, the engine emits much more pollution, including up to 40 times more nitrogen oxides, Which can cause asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.
Since then, it’s no surprise that people’s trust in diesel vehicles has plummeted. These chemicals are not only really harmful to ourselves and the environment, but we also lied about the extent of their harm.
What is ULEZ?
ULEZ stands for “Ultra Low Emission Zones”-this means that if you do not meet current emission standards, you will need to pay £12.50 a day to drive in these areas.
The British government stated that if registered for the first time after 2015, “general” diesel vehicles would be compliant, while if registered for the first time after 2005, gasoline vehicles would be “general” compliant; The gap can indeed have an impact. If you buy a used car under these new regulations, it is wise to choose a gasoline car.
As these areas under ULEZ expand year by year, their thinking is that they will help reduce congestion and carbon emissions; however, more and more people choose to sell their diesel vehicles and use this opportunity to invest in new gasoline vehicles. Even electric cars.
The prescribed ULEZ will reduce congestion…no difference…no congestion reduction at all… pic.twitter.com/8hSrWSf10I
— Ediz (@ediz1975) November 4, 2021
Do people buy more electric cars?
Even if people are aware of the risks of diesel vehicles, when there are only two options to choose from, it is difficult not to choose the cheaper one. This is why hybrid and electric vehicles are so important in the decline of diesel vehicles; it provides people with sustainable and affordable options.
You may not think of an affordable electric car, and you are right, it is more expensive to buy an electric car directly-but the cost-effectiveness comes from how low the cost of running after purchase. On average, a fast charger only costs 30 pence per hour, It only takes 3-5 hours to fully charge. 1.50 pounds can fill the gas tank? If I do this, please don’t mind.
Time and convenience are the main reasons people are hesitant to use electric cars, but as fast chargers become more common and slow home chargers become more affordable, keeping your car running no longer looks like the past That’s difficult. You can plug in your car at a local supermarket and forget it, or charge it overnight in your garage, which makes it easier for more consumers to access electric cars; when there are green options, there is evidence that people will Choose them.
So what is the reason for the decline in diesel vehicle sales?
In short, consumers vote for green.
Even if the purchase and operation of diesel vehicles become so cheap, the risks to ourselves and the environment outweigh the benefits. All the new and sustainable options available, coupled with the government’s gentle promotion and access to information, enable consumers to make more informed choices; their informed choice is that the environment is important.
As the government now implements funding to further encourage the popularization of electric vehicles, it will be interesting to see how the diesel industry develops in a few years.
