My Urban Car
Diesel UK Market share-SMMT
Cars

UK Car sales fall by 5.6% in 2017 as diesel sales drop

David Nicholson
11th February 2018
2 min read

UK car sales fell by 5.6% in 2017 but the big story is that car buyers preferences shifted from dirtier diesels which were down 17.1% in 2017. Meanwhile sales of petrol cars rose by 2.7% and AFVs including plugin electric models rose 34.8% to nearly 120,000 deliveries.

Diesel market share actually rose slightly in December compared to November from 37.7% to 37.8%. Sales of diesels were nevertheless 31.1% down on the same month of 2016.

Car sales have now fallen for a 9th consecutive month since George Osbourne’s changes to VED (Vehicle Excise Duty) were introduced in April 2017. This sharply increased the tax payable on any car with a list price exceeding £40,000 whether diesel, petrol or zero emission.

 

Smmt december sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

The SMMT car sales figures for 2017 show that the message about the effect of diesel cars on air quality is getting through. Despite industry claims that Euro 6 diesels now on sale are “clean” only about 10% are able to comply with the Euro 6 80mg/km NOx limits when on the road. The average for Euro 6 diesels is 400mg/km.

 

UK new car market declines in 2017 but demand still third highest in 10 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Nicholson

I set up MyUrbanCar to provide advice about switching from fuel burning v to clean electric power especially in transport especially electric vehicles. I also use an air source heat pump which has also cut out fuel burning at home.

I spend a lot of time researching and absorbing information from a wide range of respected sources on issues like climate change, air pollution, battery technology and developments in electric vehicles from road to rail air and water.

MyUrbanCar now provides regularly updated guides on electric cars and UK EV charging so that more people can make good choices at the right price while avoiding a few lemons.

I have also had plenty of hands on myth busting experience. I have owned 3 EV's and tested them on many gruelling long distance EV road trips of up to 700 miles per day in the UK and Europe. These are often combined with my passion for hikes and exploring landscapes around the UK. At home I have had an air source heat pump since 2021.

I have worked as an underwriter at Lloyd's of London since the 1980's. My interest in technology goes back many years including interactive mapping, apps, green tech, boats, solar and cars.

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