Diesel car sales have risen in the UK for the first time since 2016.
The vehicle class’ 12 per cent revenue spike in December occurred as electric vehicle sales declined 34 per cent the same month.
Al Bedwell, head of powertrain analysis at market researcher GlobalData, said that when electric vehicle (EV) sales decline, combustion engine sales increase, with diesel cars performing slightly better than their petrol counterparts, Autocar reports.
However — diesel sales in Germany rose a whopping 11 per cent across 2023 with the driving class representing a 24 per cent market share — compared to the UK’s 7.5 per cent.
Manufacturers have also begun focusing on integrating diesel engines into their premium segments since buyers of these pricier cars tend to enjoy diesel properties.
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“More and more are looking for environmentally friendly options that are also cost-effective to finance.
“However, I do believe there is still a lack of confidence in both the day-to-day usability of an EV and in the charging network.”
Jaguar Land Rover is now the biggest seller of diesel vehicles in the UK, doubling year-on-year in January to 2700, Autocar reports.
The Land Rover Defender is the manufacturer’s most popular diesel model.
