The petrol vs diesel debate

It's not easy being a motorist these days. In the past, you just hopped in the car, filled up and made your journey without thinking about it too much. However, with the growing threat of climate change, we now have to worry about the impact of our road use on the environment, as well as on our pockets.

Many people are considering how they can reduce their car's emissions whilst also getting cheap car insurance and saving money on fuel. Some may start taking public transport or walking short distances instead of driving, whilst others may alter their driving behaviour so their car performs more efficiently.

However, there is one thing which motorists must also consider if they want to reduce the impact their driving is having on the world. This is their choice of car. It is probably unreasonable to ask drivers to change their car purely on the basis of the environment, as it is a major change which could have some financial implications. However, as drivers change their car every two years on average, it is likely that many people will be considering what next to get anyway.

One of the major decisions that the eco-concerned motorist has to think about when buying a new car is what type of fuel the engine should run on. Currently, diesels make up around a quarter of all new cars sold while vehicles with petrol account for the vast majority of the rest, with hybrids and alternative fuel cars making up a tiny percentage.

The major choice, therefore, is petrol or diesel? In years gone by, diesel engines had a reputation for being smelly and slow, but this is now not the case. They now perform almost on a par with petrol engines, although some motoring enthusiasts will make a case for petrol still being a little better. For your average driver, though, the difference in performance will not be too much of a concern.

There are significant differences between the kind of emissions which are produced by diesel and petrol engines. When the carbon dioxide emissions of all diesel and petrol cars were averaged out, the CO2 production of diesels came out at 169g/km, whilst the rate of CO2 emissions for 'petrols' was significantly more at 214g/km.

However, despite the massive publicity over how CO2 emissions relate to climate change, the situation isn't quite that simple. Cars give off a number of noxious emissions which all have a damaging effect on the environment - and possibly on us too. For example, diesel gives off higher levels of nitrous oxide and particulate matter, whilst burning petrol releases much more carbon monoxide.

Fortunately, diesels can be fitted with Diesel Particulate Filters which vastly reduce the level of particulate matter which is being emitted without affecting performance. As these are not yet mandatory in new diesel cars, anyone interested in getting one fitted should speak to their dealer. However, the filter will not have any effect on the levels of nitrous oxide given off by a diesel engine.

The amount of emissions released by a car is in part dependent on the fuel efficiency of that vehicle. It follows that cars which burn fuel more efficiently will also emit less as they use less fuel to run. Whilst this is good for the environment, it is also desirable because it will reduce the amount you spend on fuel.

Generally speaking, cars which run on diesel are much more efficient than those that use petrol. A small hatchback running on diesel can get as much as 65mpg, whilst an identical car running on petrol will get just 45mpg. Similarly, a medium-sized family car powered by a diesel engine will get 50mpg compared to 35mpg for a petrol equivalent. It is estimated that this will save around £250 to £300 for every 10,000 miles driven.

So if diesels generally produce fewer CO2 emissions and have lower fuel costs, why is it that petrol cars still make up the majority of vehicles sold? Well, many people find petrol cars an attractive prospect because they cost significantly less to buy - more than the savings that they would make from better fuel efficiency. However, it is worth bearing in mind that diesels tend to hold their value better so sell for more on the used car market.

Although the choice of fuel doesn't make a difference when it comes to finding a cheap car insurance deal, people who drive petrol cars may find that they make additional savings on servicing. Diesels tend to have shorter servicing intervals and the cost of replacement parts is higher than those for petrol cars.

As can be seen from this debate, the choice between diesel and petrol can be difficult to make and many motorists may find themselves caught between the two. However, for those who want to go the extra mile for the environment - and possibly for their pocket too - it may be worth considering hybrid or alternative fuel cars.

Although there is a rather limited range of hybrids at present, it is likely that the range will grow dramatically in the coming months and years. On top of this, many diesels can be converted quite easily to accept biodiesel and other alternative fuels. Motor insurance companies are already offering cheap car insurance quotes to those who have hybrids or alternatively fuelled cars, and owners of these cars may also qualify for cheaper road tax.

 

 

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