Drivers already worried about 2040 petrol and diesel ban

A fifth of UK motorists are already concerned about the financial impact of the Government’s plan to ban sales of new diesel and petrol cars by 2040, a new survey claims.

AA Cars questioned more than 18,500 drivers and found that 21% are worried that their petrol or diesel vehicle will lose value because of the Government’s initiative.

Two thirds (67%) agreed that the ban is still so far off that they doubt it will affect their choice of car for years to come,

However, 8% said that they would be more likely to buy a new petrol/diesel car now in order to get ahead of the ban, although a further 10% noted that they are now less likely to purchase a new petrol or diesel vehicle following the announcement.

Surprisingly, less than one in 10 (9%) are now more concerned about the environmental impact of their current vehicle.

That’s not to say these plans haven’t resonated with drivers – in fact, one in five (17%) motorists suggested that they are now more aware of the environmental concerns around petrol and diesel vehicles.

Sales of diesel cars in the UK fell by nearly a third (29.9%) in October compared with last year, according to the latest SMMT figures, while registrations of alternatively fuelled vehicles, including electric and hybrid, rose 36.9%.

“An ongoing stream of negative press and blanket legislation around diesel and petrol vehicles has made UK drivers rather jumpy when it comes to buying new cars,” said Simon Benson of AA Cars.

“This research lends some insight into why consumer confidence is dwindling. With inflation creeping northwards and Brexit uncertainty weighing on consumer purse-strings, British drivers are increasingly concerned that buying a new car isn’t the investment it once was.

“2040 might be a long way in the future, but the ban on sales of petrols and diesels helps add to the picture that the days of emitting vehicles are numbered. More needs to be done to improve the picture of cleaner diesel models – or we risk talking the new car market into deeper trouble.”