Diesel sales set to fall following pollution fears

The demand for diesel cars is set to slump due to concerns over emissions and pollution, according to a survey commissioned by Autocar.

As a result of ongoing controversy about emissions and the Volkswagen Dieselgate scandal, Autocar teamed up with survey research advisor Simpson Carpenter to conduct a study on the attitude of motorists towards diesel engines.

More than 1000 interviews were undertaken for the study in May.

The results show that despite diesel currently accounting for around four in 10 cars on UK roads, just 23 per cent of motorists plan to buy a diesel as their next car.

More than half of all current diesel owners also plan to switch to another fuel type.

The survey results showed that diesel owners currently comprise of 38 per cent of UK motorists, while just two per cent of motorists owned a hybrid or electric machine.

But when asked what type of engine their next car was most likely to be powered by, less than one in four said they intended to buy a diesel.

That drop contrasts sharply with a surge in demand for battery cars – 17 per cent of motorists say their next car will be hybrid or electric-powered.

Tom Simpson, the managing director of Simpson Carpenter, said: “Car owners are predicting a major change in their buying behaviour. If they follow through on these intentions, it will give the industry a real headache.”