- Diesel consumption in the United Kingdom fell by 3.2% in the financial year 2023-2024
- Diesel is around 160 pence a liter, and high prices push people to opt for petrol
- Gasoline consumption increased by 4.2%, but gasoline cars are less efficient
UK diesel consumption fell by almost one billion liters in the 2023 to 2024 financial year, new statistics show.
The AA’s analysis of HMRC figures published this week found the UK consumed 968 million liters less of diesel, while petrol consumption increased by 702 million liters.
The AA attributes this to the high cost of diesel, which coincides with effective anti-diesel campaigns in towns and cities, leading drivers to switch from diesel to petrol, hybrid and electric cars.
The AA’s analysis of HMRC figures published this week found the UK consumed 968 million liters less diesel, while petrol consumption increased by 702 million liters.
During fiscal year 2023 to 2024, Hydrocarbon Oil Bulletin figures show Diesel consumption fell by 3.2 percent, from 30.075 million liters to 29.107 million liters.
On the other hand, gasoline consumption in the United Kingdom increased by 4.2 percent year-on-year, from 16,579 million to 17,281 million liters.
The AA believes the drop is likely due to both the price and the demonization of diesel in densely populated urban areas.
Diesel remains up to 20p a liter more expensive than petrol even after the pump price shocks of 2022 and early 2023 eased.
The rise in fuel costs in recent weeks has been well documented, with AA analysis putting the average cost of diesel in the UK at 158.3 palitre on 22 April.
At the time of registration, the price of petrol was 150.1 p liter, making diesel around 8 pence more per liter than petrol.
These higher comparative prices are likely responsible for discouraging a large number of potential diesel car owners and buyers.
While the number of gasoline vehicles has stagnated at 19.24 million between the fourth quarter of 2019 and the third quarter of 2023, the number of diesel vehicles has decreased by 1.5 million (12,852 compared to 11,352) in the same period.
The fall in petrol prices from a peak of 191.5p per liter in July 2022 to 143.2p in July 2023 will also have played a role, as will other factors such as workers returning to offices and disruptions to public transportation that force travelers to travel by car.
Furthermore, the AA believes that the anti-diesel mantra in cities and large towns has influenced the shift away from diesel.
The most recent statistics from the Department of Transportation show that while the number of gasoline vehicles has reached a plateau of 19.24 million Between the fourth quarter of 2019 and the third quarter of 2023, the number of diesel cars decreased by 1.5 million (12,852 compared to 11,352) in the same period.
Gasoline cars have maintained their numbers, while the combined number of hybrid cars, electric vehicles (EVs), and other cars running on alternative fuels has increased.
These low and zero emission alternatives have increased from 800,000 to almost three million in the same period that diesel numbers have decreased.
If diesel owners switch to gasoline, more gasoline will have been used to cover the same trips, since diesel cars typically consume 15 to 20 percent more than gasoline cars.
Luke Bosdet, AA spokesman on road fuel, said: “This week’s UK fuel consumption statistics appear to reinforce the view that the days of diesel cars are numbered.” The big question is how many of their former owners have switched to electric or hybrid vehicles?
«However, it would be a mistake to still rule out the diesel car. If the price difference between gasoline and diesel is reduced significantly and over a long period, there are types of driving and traveling where the DERV’s superior fuel efficiency shines.
“While cities and built-up areas try to move diesel engines out of the city, on the highways and rural areas a diesel vehicle can be king.”