Londoners less keen on diesel cars

10/06/2011

There is a lack of desire for diesel cars among Londoners despite the fact more diesel vehicles are exempt from the congestion charge than petrol ones, a new survey suggests.

Car leasing firm ContractHireandLeasing.com found that just 18 per cent of people in London wanted a diesel car when they come to change models, while 40 per cent would go for a traditional petrol car - even though much more diesel cars fall into the CO2 emissions criteria which will exempt them from the city’s Congestion Charge.

Across the UK, diesel is a much more attractive proposition, with a quarter of people surveyed appreciating high fuel efficiency and low emissions. Londoners showed the least interest, followed by people in the East, where only 22 per cent went for diesel.

However, this diesel distaste was reversed when it came to interest in hybrid cars. One in ten nationally said they would choose a hybrid next, compared to 15 per cent of Londonders.

The firm’s Richard Lawton said: "Londoners should make sure they understand the new Greener Vehicle Discount works so that they can take advantage of exemption to the charge.

“Just by choosing a slightly different model, the savings could add up."