Diesel is often associated with smelly and loud vehicles, but that perception is largely inaccurate. While most large and loud commercial vehicles are diesels, many of the diesel passenger vehicles on the road today are quiet and discreet, and can’t easily be distinguished from their gas counterparts.
With the recent Volkswagen emissions scandal, diesel vehicles and their emissions are in the spotlight more than ever before. Currently and historically, diesels are not extremely popular in North America, but they are prominent in the Europe and the UK. However, recent changes in laws could affect the future of diesel in the UK, and perhaps around the world.
If you’re interested in the automotive industry, read on to learn more about what the future might have in store for diesel.
Service Advisors May See That the Automotive Landscape Is Changing
It’s an exciting time for the automotive industry. Although there is quite a lot of uncertainty, advancements in automotive technology are happening rapidly. With the introduction and growing popularity of alternatively-powered vehicles like hybrids, EVs, and hydrogen fuel cells, the fate of diesel vehicles hangs in the balance. While diesel is sure to stay prevalent in the commercial industries, what will happen with diesel passenger vehicles? Will you continue to see diesel vehicles coming into your shop during your future service advisor career?
In North America, diesel has always been a minority. In fact, diesel engines only have about a three per cent share of the market. In Europe, however, half of all car sales can be attributed to diesel engines. Changes are coming, though. The mayor of London has recently moved to ban older diesel cars from London’s central areas, and more comprehensive bans could be implemented by 2019. While these laws won’t directly impact Canada, increased news about diesels could filter in and impact Canadian car buyers’ perspectives.
Diesel Vehicles Still Have Their Advantages
On one side of the globe, the mayor of London is moving to ban diesel vehicles, and on the other, the Government of Canada highlights diesel vehicles’ benefits on its website. Modern diesel vehicles have plenty of benefits that may convince a car buyer to opt for diesel instead of gas. First off, diesel engines are known to help reduce fuel consumption by 15 to 30 per cent and are more efficient. This in turn saves money and lessens the amount of time drivers spend at the pump. Diesels are also better for the environment because they output less CO2.
Not listed on the government’s website are the advantages of a diesel car’s operations. As a professional automotive service advisor may know, diesel engines operate at a higher temperature, so to withstand the operating demands of burning diesel, diesel cars are built stronger and will generally last longer. In addition, their resale value is typically higher than a gas vehicle’s.
What Service Advisors Could Expect for the Future of Diesel
So will diesel vehicles be sold in Canada for much longer? While no one can know for sure, it looks like diesel vehicles are here to stay. Diesel’s popularity probably won’t increase dramatically, but die-hard diesel fans are likely to keep buying diesel-powered vehicles. In addition, Volkswagen is still pushing diesels hard in the Canadian market. In 2014, Volkswagen claimed 30 per cent of their total Canadian vehicle sales were diesel. And for car buyers who are wary to jump into the EV or hybrid sphere, but are looking for an alternative to gas, diesel could be a great option.
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