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Fuel for Thought: Discussing Diesel
When it comes to filling up our cars, then are plenty of opinions about what’s best. Petrol is often considered to be the most economical option, but in recent years diesel engines have made plenty of ground.
At Robins & Day we’re particularly interested in the subject, which is why we took a deeper look. Our research involved a survey covering 500 UK drivers’ perceptions of diesel and their habits when it came to refuelling in general.
More Efficient than We Think
Diesel engines are generally more efficient than we might think, using 20% less fuel than petrol engines, and this translates into cheaper running costs. However, only 56% of respondents said that diesel was more economical than petrol.
Lower CO2 Emissions, Lower Taxes and More Power
When it comes to emissions, diesel once again comes up trumps, emitting 20% less CO2 than petrol. However, only 26% of respondents said that they believed diesel to have lower CO2 emissions, suggesting perhaps that stereotypes about the fuel persist.
Having a diesel engine also often puts a car in a lower tax band than if it ran on petrol. However, only 36% of respondents knew this to be true.
Diesel engines also win when it comes to low-speed torque as they offer more overtaking power and greater towing ability than petrol equivalents. However, only 42% of respondents chose diesel as being the more powerful option.
The Drawbacks of Diesel
Diesel is generally more expensive than petrol, something that 57% of respondents were aware of. Engines running on diesel are also noisier than those using petrol, and 67% of respondents knew this to be correct.
Changing Gears
A surprising difference between diesel and petrol vehicles is how often gears need to be changed. Our survey revealed that 58% of people believed that the gears in petrol-fuelled cars needed to be changed more often while driving – which is the right answer.
Fuel Mix-Ups
One in 10 people admitted that they have topped up with the wrong fuel. Males are the worst for doing this, with nearly twice the amount of men doing this than women. The cities most likely to top up with the wrong fuel are:
1. Bristol
2. Manchester
3. Leeds
4. London
5. Birmingham
Cutting Costs
It seems that fuel prices are an issue for drivers of both petrol and diesel vehicles with 38% of respondents admitting to driving to a petrol station further away just to get cheaper fuel. Men are the stingiest with 44% doing this compared to 34% of women.
Last-Minute Refuelling
26% of people admit to leaving their fuel gauge to reach the red line before topping up. Once again, males are the biggest culprits for doing this. We also noticed that certain cities are bigger risk takers than others, with the riskiest cities for last-minute refuelling being the following:
1. Belfast
2. Bristol
3. Liverpool
4. Birmingham
5. Sheffield
The Future
From 31st August 2018, cars produced on or before 31st May 2018 will be subject to the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP), a laboratory-based efficiency test to ensure accurate CO2 emissions and fuel consumption testing for vehicles. The test replaces the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) test and will ensure consumers have realistic car performance data when buying a car.
Reconsidering the Diesel Debate
There is plenty to consider when choosing an engine type, and what this study goes to show is that sometimes it can be worth challenging our own perceptions. PSA Euro 6 diesel engines have intelligent filtration processes and emit fewer NOx than petrol derivates as well as lower CO2 and increased MPG.
Many of us also have bad habits when it comes to refuelling, and these could also benefit from being addressed – especially the habit of leaving it until the last minute to top up.
If you’re interested in a petrol, diesel or any other type of car, it is always worth speaking to your nearest Robins & Day dealer for helpful and friendly advice.
