Almost two-thirds of consumers in the UK have been put off buying a diesel car by recent reports on the negative effects of emissions from diesel engines, according to a survey by a leading car reviews site.
Carbuyer’s exclusive survey showed 61 percent of respondents have been put off buying a diesel car, 33 percent said they had been unaffected by the negative stories and 6 percent said they were not aware of any news.
Additionally research into Google search trends shows a massive 127 percent increase in users looking for hybrid cars in the first three months of 2017, compared to the same period last year. In comparison, searches for diesel cars have grown by just 9 percent.
Carbuyer’s findings echo a trend highlighted by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), showing diesel sales are down 9.2 percent in February 2017 compared to February 2016. Sales of alternative-fuel vehicles such as hybrids and battery-powered cars, meanwhile, were up 48.9 percent over the same period.
Recent months have seen an increased focus on diesel in the media. Stories covered by Carbuyer in that time include diesel-car owners being charged more to park in certain parts of London and the capital’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, proposing a diesel scrappage scheme.

Source: Arab News