I can remember few issues as emotive in recent times as the ongoing argument concerning the future of diesel. There are some very strong opinions being aired.
And issues over whether to purchase are now the most regular query we field from readers. On this, let me make car Express’s position clear: there is no standard ‘one size fits all’ answer.
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For certain chauffeurs diesel will still make sense, but I’d add the caveat that at this stage it’s hard to predict exactly what form future legislation might take. higher penalties and lower residual values seem likely, but there’s no guarantee they’ll be so excessive that diesel will become obsolete for all. 
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While we salute the efforts of producers to clean up diesel, we recognise – as they do as well, to be fair – that it cannot play as significant a role in future, thus the rapid progress in electrification.
Amid all the uncertainty, however, at this stage one thing is abundantly clear: punishment rather than incentivisation seems to be the preferred route to getting chauffeurs to ditch their diesels. In the last week alone, reports of Toxin Taxes and Ultra-Low emission Zones have cranked up the worry element ten-fold. Is that really the way to go?
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Where’s the carrot, rather than the stick, for those who invested in diesel in good faith? how about better incentives to purchase EVs and hybrids for example? discounted park-and-ride schemes for those diesel chauffeurs who can’t afford to ditch their car? Or for owners in London, subsidised Oyster cards? and these ideas just scratch the surface.  
There are plenty of us in the car world who absolutely accept the diesel argument is necessary.  but the nagging worry that it is being hijacked to punish chauffeurs again just won’t go away.
Do you own a diesel-powered car? let us know your thoughts on the argument below…