If you drive a diesel car in London, you might want to start thinking about your next vehicle. Some filling stations across the capital are expected to stop stocking diesel before the end of the decade, with this trend becoming more common across the country by 2035.
What's Happening to Diesel in London?
Over the last seven years, the number of diesel vehicles on London's roads has decreased by more than half. Camden has seen the largest drop at 64.6 per cent. Two filling stations in Hammersmith and Fulham have already been converted into electric vehicle charging hubs, with similar plans in motion elsewhere.
Industry analysts expect London to become the first area in the UK without diesel cars, with estimates suggesting just over five million diesel vehicles will remain on UK roads by 2030, falling to less than a quarter of a million by 2035.
Why Diesel Demand Has Collapsed
Several factors have combined to push diesel out of favour:
- The ULEZ effect: Transport for London's Ultra Low Emission Zone charges owners of older polluting diesel vehicles £12.50 per day to drive inside London. This has prompted many drivers to switch to petrol or go electric.
- New car sales collapse: Diesel registrations have fallen from nearly 1.3 million in 2015 to just 123,104 in 2024. The market share of new diesel cars now sits at just 5.1 per cent.
- The Dieselgate legacy: Negative perceptions of diesel following the emissions scandal continue to affect buyer behaviour.
- Tightening regulations: Fears of further regulatory restrictions have made buyers reluctant to commit to diesel.
The Numbers Tell the Story
The decline in diesel has been stark:
- There are 2.8 million fewer diesel vehicles on UK roads in 2024 compared to 2019
- Diesel sales in 2023 were 22 per cent lower than the peak
- In October 2024, diesel car sales fell 20.5 per cent year-on-year
- The SMMT projects diesel will comprise only around 4.4 per cent of new car sales by 2026
What the Industry Is Saying
The Petrol Retailers Association Market Review 2025 found that 89 per cent of retailers still see fuel as a core source of revenue. However, only 57 per cent believe this will be true in a decade's time. Stations are being forced to offer alternative services to remain competitive as traditional fuel demand falls.
According to industry analysis: "Whilst it is impossible to accurately predict when the majority of filling stations will stop stocking diesel, it is clear that there is a distinct possibility that many will over the 2030s. By the 2040s, many, and probably the majority that do not cater to HGVs, will no longer sell diesel."
What This Means for Diesel Drivers
Diesel isn't disappearing tomorrow. Most stations will continue selling it for years to come, particularly larger ones and those on major routes. But the convenience of filling up at any local station may start to change, especially in London.
For diesel drivers, the practical advice is:
- Don't panic: Diesel will remain available at major stations, supermarkets, and motorway services for the foreseeable future.
- Note your local options: Be aware of which stations near you stock diesel, particularly if you use smaller forecourts.
- Plan ahead: If keeping your diesel car for several more years, factor in that refuelling may become less convenient over time.
- Consider your next vehicle carefully: When replacing your current car, the direction of travel for diesel is clear.
Government Policy
The Labour government has reinstated the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales, following Rishi Sunak's delay to 2035. A Zero Emission Vehicle mandate requires an increasing percentage of manufacturers' sales to be electric: 22 per cent in 2024, ramping up to 80 per cent by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2035.
While existing diesel vehicles will remain legal to drive for decades, the infrastructure to support them will inevitably shrink as the fleet ages.
The Wider Picture
Outside London, diesel demand remains stronger, particularly in rural areas and for commercial vehicles. However, the combined market share of petrol and diesel cars for January to April 2025 sat at 38.2 per cent, down from 48.4 per cent over the same period in 2024.
For now, diesel remains widely available across the UK. But if you're in London and wondering whether your next car should be a diesel, the trends are pretty clear.