There’s no doubt more charges affect diesel drivers, however, it’s worth remembering, currently, new Euro 6 diesels are subject to vary few of the below.
It’s also worth noting, most of these charges are only relevant to city drivers, which petrol is more suited to anyway.
If you are in a situation where you have a long motorway commute into a city centre, you may want to weigh up the cost of the charges you may face versus the improved fuel economy a diesel will offer on this type of commute.
Again a Euro 6 diesel will most likely offer the best fuel economy and escape most charges, for now, but not everyone can afford a new car.
October 2017
£10 T-Charge introduced in Central London
Affects: petrol and diesels
Both petrol and diesels that do not meet at least Euro 4 standards, will face the charge and motorbikes that do not meet at least Euro 3 standards
January 2018
£2 parking surcharge in London Borough of Islington (council controlled parking). More boroughs are following suit with these charges
Affects: diesels
This charge affects all diesels, regardless of age or Euro standard
March 2018
Initial air quality plans published by local councils which may open the door to local charging schemes. Final plans must be published by December 2018 (TBC).
April 2018
Rise in first-year VED (car tax) rate on new diesels
Affects: diesels
This will affect non-RDE2 compliant diesel cars
(Currently Euro 6 cars are only RDE1 compliant)
April 2018
Supplement in Company Car Tax rises from 3% to 4%
Affects: diesels
This will affect non-RDE2 compliant diesel cars
(Currently Euro 6 cars are only RDE1 compliant)
April 2019
London Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will be launched, possibly covering a wider geographical area than the T-Charge
Affects: petrol and diesels - but more diesel cars will be affected
(Euro 4 is the minimum standard for petrol; Euro 6 for diesel)
Between 2018-2020
Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee expected to introduce Low Emission Zones
Affects: petrol and diesel cars - but more diesel cars will be affected
(Euro 4 is the minimum standard for petrol; Euro 6 for diesel)
2019
Clean Air Zones (CAZs) anticipated in Birmingham, Nottingham, Southampton, Derby and Leeds
Affects: petrol and diesels - but more diesel cars will be affected
(Euro 6 is the minimum standard for diesels; Euro 4 for petrol)
2023
Other Scottish cities expected to introduce Low Emission Zones
2032
Scottish Government plans to phase out new petrol and diesel cars
2040
UK Government Ban on the sale of conventional diesel and petrol cars and vans
Ones to watch
- More UK Clean Air Zones (CAZs)
- Government-backed scrappage scheme for trading in diesel cars
- London-wide Euro VI standard for heavy vehicles
- ULEZ extension to cover North and South Circular roads
- Further increased parking charges for diesel cars
- Increased cost of residential parking permits for diesel owners in a number of
boroughs
