Petrols Edge Out Diesels in Recent UK Survey

Efficient and advanced diesel engines make a lot of sense on paper, but the fact of the matter is that cheaper and easier to maintain petrol-powered cars are still more popular, especially given the high price of diesel. The latest piece of evidence is a study by Contract Hire and Leasing, which revealed that petrol-burners still beat diesel models in the popularity stakes despite the typically higher fuel economy of diesel engines.

The company asked over 1700 people ‘When you next change your car, what type of fuel will you opt for?’ of which 35 percent opted for a petrol model compared to 25 percent for diesel.

High diesel prices may be making car buyers think twice about running a diesel car, despite the typically strong fuel efficiency of these models. Such efficiency capabilities are helping to boost interest in hybrid models however, as 10 percent said they would buy a hybrid.

“Although diesel took 46.1 per cent of the new car market last year, this figure included registrations from fleet buyers and business car users who favour diesel because of its fuel efficiency over long trips. Private buyers have shown that they still prefer petrol; for its lower pence per litre cost, suitability to smaller cars and the quietness of petrol engines,” Spokesperson for ContractHireAndLeasing.com Richard Lawton said.

“It is interesting to see an increase in the number of motorists considering hybrid cars however. With a host of new hybrid models launching in the UK this year such as the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4, the Honda Jazz hybrid and the Infiniti M35 hybrid, the hybrid sector is starting to attract mainstream interest,” he concludes.