Diesel or not?

[old n grey]

Hi all, What's peoples views on the reports of the last couple of days that diesel cars are now on the EU's hit list. I can see which ever government gets in next week taking the easy option and taxing diesels off the road with fuel duty and road tax.
My concern is two weeks ago I've just ordered a new R-line diesel and I'm wondering if it will cost me a fortune and be worthless when I come to sell. I am tempted to try and change my order for a petrol because I've not yet had my build date so I guess it could be possible. My only worry is I travel 60 miles a day so I'm not sure. Any body else drive about 300 motorway miles a week how much does it cost you in petrol? cheers.

[whiteDevil_170]

Haven't seen or heard anything.

And I wouldn't worry about it tbh.
If anything you should be more worried about the mk4 scirocco when that is released and that affecting what your car is worth.

[Cuprabob]

In the short term, I wouldn't worry as there would be an almighty backlash if the government targeted them after years of pushing them with lowerbtax and BIK. In general, the government will have to start increasing taxation on lower emission cars to compensate for the loss of tax revenue due to the majority buying lower emission cars, whether diesel or petrol.

[Hollygttdi170dsg]

It's the older diesels that they aren't happy about. Apparently the emissions are more harmful to the environment than first thought. You will be fine with a new diesel because they now have the diesel particulate filter for this reason.

[selleym]

Ooh I wouldn't take any chances better cancel and buy an R

[Tallguy]

I suspect that over time the Government will eliminate the cost benefit of running a diesel car over petrol so my advice to anyone not doing a very high mileage is think carefully about ordering a new diesel car.

[skippy]

If you are doing the mileage, then yes - diesel still makes sense, but I think the tables will slowly turn against diesels in the future because of the extra pollution they cause in terms of particulates.

It will be a slow process though and some older diesels really do stink and cause high levels of pollution. Being a cyclist as well, I know only too well about pollution and some diesel vehicles are particularly bad.

I believe the gap has closed though on petrol v diesel efficiency, so I would say we have seen a peak of diesel sales and there will be a gradual swing back in favour of petrols again.

[Deagol]

Apparently, VW's latest incarnation of the Passat range has no petrol engines in the range AT ALL.

I heard that the Mayor of Paris does not like the devil's fuel but frankly, I have no plans to take my car to his city.
With London, I appreciate that Congestion Charge hits anyone with infernal combustion (but not self-propelled artillery or tanks, according to Ross Noble). If we're going to hit the older diesels which do not have DPF you can guess that older cars generally will be pushed off the road.

Company car taxation has an existing tax loading for diesel over petrol in terms of the Income Tax charge so if the tax man can write rules on the subject, it is going to be easy for the DVLA tax disc to similarly take up arms against higher particulate vehicles.

But I think this is not going to come in overnight - unless the country turns completely Green on May 7th ?

D