Diesel cars are rapidly vanishing from Britain’s roads, with experts warning they could disappear entirely within the next decade. Once favoured for their fuel efficiency and long-distance capability, diesel vehicles have fallen out of favour thanks to stricter emissions laws, manufacturer phase-outs, and the unstoppable rise of electric vehicles.
Recent forecasts suggest diesel’s market share could drop to just 2% by 2028, as EVs dominate new registrations and government mandates push for zero-emission transport.
The End Of The Road For Diesel
Once the go-to choice for long-distance drivers and company fleets, diesel cars are now teetering on the edge of extinction. According to recent data from GB News, diesel’s market share in the UK is expected to fall to just 5% by the end of 2025, with forecasts suggesting it could plummet to 2% by 2028. That’s a dramatic fall from the early 2010s, when diesel made up nearly half of all new car sales.
The shift isn’t just consumer-driven — it’s being fuelled by legislation, manufacturer strategy, and the unstoppable rise of electric vehicles (EVs).
Electric Vehicles Take Over
Electric vehicles are no longer niche. BloombergNEF projects that 72% of new UK cars could be battery electric by 2030, rising to 98% by 2033, and effectively 100% by 2034. That leaves little room for internal combustion engines — especially diesel, which has struggled to shake off its post-Dieselgate reputation.
Paul Barker, editor of Auto Express, summed it up: “Once the default choice for company cars thanks to favourable tax breaks, diesels have now been overtaken by EVs, with even stronger incentives encouraging fleets to go electric”.
Dieselgate’s Lingering Impact
The fallout from the Volkswagen emissions scandal — Dieselgate — continues to haunt the diesel market. Between 2008 and 2015, VW was found to be cheating emissions tests using defeat devices. The scandal shattered consumer trust and triggered a wave of regulatory scrutiny that diesel has never recovered from.
According to GB News, Auto Express reports that there are now just 91 diesel models available in the UK — down from 240 a decade ago. Manufacturers are rapidly pulling diesel powertrains from their line-ups, focusing instead on hybrids and full electrics.
Commercial Vehicles: The Last Holdouts
Diesel still dominates in the commercial sector — for now. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) found that 85.5% of light commercial vehicles (LCVs) sold in 2025 were diesel-powered. But even that’s changing fast. Sales of electric LCVs weighing under 3.5 tonnes rose by 54.4%, while those between 3.5 and 4.25 tonnes surged by 163.4%.
As battery technology improves and charging infrastructure expands, even van drivers are starting to make the switch.
The 2035 Ban Looms
The UK government’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate is accelerating the decline. From 2025, manufacturers must meet strict EV sales targets or face fines of up to £15,000 per non-compliant vehicle, says Auto Express. And with the 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales now set in stone, the writing is on the wall.
Cox Automotive predicts diesel’s market share will fall to just 3% by 2028, with the “nought-to-four-year-old diesel market decimated since 2020”. Buyers looking for newer diesel models are already running out of options.
Final Thoughts
Diesel cars are fading fast — not because they’re inherently flawed, but because the world around them has changed. Cleaner alternatives, tougher regulations, and shifting consumer attitudes have made diesel feel outdated, even for those who once swore by it.
If you’re still driving a diesel, now might be the time to consider your next move. With electric vehicles offering lower running costs, tax incentives, and growing infrastructure, the transition is no longer a question of “if” — but “when.”
And for diesel cars, that “when” might be sooner than anyone expected.
As diesel cars edge closer to extinction, now might be the perfect time to make the switch. If you’re thinking of selling your diesel vehicle, Jamjar.com offers a quick and hassle-free way to get started.
Simply enter your reg to get a free online quote and compare offers from trusted UK buyers — no pressure, no hidden fees, just a smarter way to move on as electric vehicles take the lead.
