Owners of diesel cars in the UK are angry with the government for their decision to ban diesel vehicles in the future which they say has hit them directly in the pockets
According to a new Opinium* survey, one in four (28%) report their car’s re-sale value is now significantly lower than its petrol equivalent with 23% saying they have lost money since the government’s U-turn on diesel cars.
And as well as being angry with the government, diesel car owners said they do not trust the advice they dispense regarding diesel vehicles.
Over half of respondents (56%) said they bought a diesel car in good faith thinking they were helping the environment, with 68% of over 55s most strongly citing this. Back in 1997, the UK government began promoting diesel as a more environmentally friendly fuel than petrol in part due to its signing of the Kyoto Protocol and commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, in recent years the toxic emissions that come from diesel are universally accepted as a health hazard and a number of European countries are preparing to ban diesel cars from city centres.
55% of diesel owners admitted to being betrayed by the government’s confusing messaging on the subject of diesel and just over a third (35%) said they were concerned that they would not trust their advice when choosing their next car.
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), there are 12 million diesel cars on Britain’s roads, however new car registrations for February showed that diesel accounts for just 35% of the market, in comparison to 50% six years ago.
Ben Wooltorton, Chief Operating Office of InsuretheGap.com, said: “Diesel cars are currently the villains of the motor industry, despite the government once championing them. As 2040 rapidly approaches, when the sale of all new diesel and petrol cars will be banned, drivers need a clear and consistent long-term motoring policy from the government to ensure they don’t feel let-down again.”
