UK drivers have said they’ll keep their diesel-powered cars until ‘green’ alternatives become cheaper, according to a new poll.
Of the 2,000 motorists questioned by car comparison site Carwow, 83 per cent believed that so-called ‘green’ cars were overpriced compared with regularly powered models. A further 64 per cent of drivers admitted that they had no intention of parting with their diesel without a scrappage scheme in place.
Karen Hilton, head of sales operations at Carwow, said: “Motorists see the recent demonising of diesel as a knee-jerk reaction from the government. Without sufficient incentive to switch, people are sensibly sitting tight.
“The reality for most is that ditching a diesel car is not financially viable. And depending on what kind of journeys you undertake, a diesel may still be a cheaper car to run.
“Advances in technology mean that modern diesel cars are cleaner than ever, so pressure on motorists to abandon diesel is misguided.
“The industry can do more and is working to improve technologies all the time, but no matter how much people care about driving the cleanest possible car, budgets will always be the deciding factor.”
Though manufacturers are taking considerable steps to make electric vehicles easier to buy, 41 per cent of those questioned admitted that they were sticking with their diesel car because they were unable to afford a new car, while 35 per cent said they believed that diesel-powered vehicles simply suited their needs better.
