Should I Buy a New Diesel Car?

Are you planning to buy a new diesel car? If you’re not sure yet, there are several important things that you should know about diesel cars first. By learning more about it, you will be more confident in your decision. In this article, let’s talk about the advantages and disadvantages of getting a diesel car.

Diesel Cars are More Fuel-Efficient

For car owners who use their cars frequently and has an annual mileage of over 20,000, it would be more cost-efficient to use a diesel car rather than a car that runs on petrol. Even if petrol is cheaper than diesel, the fact is that diesel engines use up fuel more efficiently. 

So, if you think you’ll go for long drives regularly, it would be a practical choice to go for a diesel car. But if you’re a low-mileage driver, then a petrol vehicle would be the better choice. You may even choose an electric or hybrid car for city drives as well as shorter journeys. 

Higher Taxes for Diesel Cars

When it comes to road tax, you’re going to pay more if you have a new diesel car. Starting April 2018, new cars running on diesel have a higher tax rate. This is a way for the government to discourage car buyers from purchasing vehicles that emit higher levels of nitrogen oxide. 

Apart from that, there are also other costs to owning a diesel car such as charges if you’re going to drive in busy city centres, charges for parking, and higher prices for parking permits. If you really want a car with a diesel engine, it would be best if you can weigh in on these costs so you can decide if it’s still a practical choice for you. 

Engine Performance 

Diesel engines are louder compared to other types of cars. It’s because of the way that the engine works where there’s a sudden increase in pressure. However, if you will get a more modern diesel car, you can expect it to be less noisy because the fuel is injected in smaller pulses, unlike older models. 

Cars that run on diesel are also stronger. They produce more torque than cars running on petrol. If you need the car to pull or tow something, it can do so without putting too much work on the engine. If you’re planning to get a large vehicle, it would be better to get one with a diesel engine because it will be able to handle the weight more than a petrol engine could. 

Petrol and Diesel vs. Hybrid Cars

Hybrid cars have a petrol combustion engine and an electric motor. In terms of running costs, this type of car is more economical compared to both diesel and petrol vehicles. Also, they produce less CO2 and have cheaper tax rates. 

An example of a hybrid car is the Prius and it can run in three ways - with the electric motor, the engine, or both. If you’re running the car at a lower speed coasting, or during acceleration, the electric motor makes the car run. 

Another feature of a hybrid car is that it can use its onboard motors when slowing the car and recharging its battery. This is what’s called regenerative braking, and it makes this type of vehicle more fuel-efficient compared to diesel-only or petrol-only cars. 

Petrol and Diesel vs. Electric Cars

One common thing about petrol, hybrid, and diesel cars is that they use a combustion engine. With electric vehicles, they run on batteries and electric motors. This makes them much quieter compared to other cars. They’re also cheaper to maintain, too. 

Also, electric cars don’t need a clutch the same way that diesel cars or petrol vehicles need them. So, if you have an automatic-only licence, you won’t have any problem driving an electric vehicle. 

One big disadvantage of owning an electric car is that you’re going to need to install your own charging station. This is going to be a big expense. However, there is a government grant for owners of electric vehicles that can cover a portion of the installation fee for up to 75%. 

Owning a Diesel Car in the UK

Many countries are planning how they can address the pollution problems of cars with combustion engines. While there is no ban on petrol or diesel cars, there are now governments that plan on phasing them out starting 2030. 

In the UK, it was announced selling pure combustion engine cars will be banned by 2030. This will be followed by hybrids by 2035. While this may sound good, the sad reality is that there is still a heavy reliance on fossil fuels and it will go on for decades to come. 

For now, you don’t have to worry about not being able to drive your diesel car if you ever decide to buy one. If you’re going to have frequent long drives, it’s still practical to choose a diesel car. But if you want to get started on making a more environmentally conscious choice, you can check hybrid cars or electric cars instead. 

Takeaway

Choosing a car can be a tough task for a car buyer. You will not only have to choose the model, colour, features, but also the fuel type. All these decisions are important if you want to get the best vehicle for your needs. So be sure to take your time when deciding so that you can pick the right car that will give you a great time driving.