A stark new report predicting the disappearance of diesel from London forecourts within four years has ignited a fierce debate among UK motorists about the realistic pace of the electric vehicle transition. The analysis, from EV think tank New AutoMotive, forecasts that many of Britain's roughly 8,400 filling stations may stop selling the fuel by 2035 as demand dwindles.
Readers Defend Diesel for Practicality and Range
In response to the report, readers of The Independent overwhelmingly highlighted practical and economic barriers preventing a wholesale switch to battery power. Diesel was consistently championed for long-distance driving, reliability, and fuel efficiency, with specific praise from rural residents, families, tradespeople, and regular motorway users.
By contrast, electric vehicles were widely criticised as ill-suited for many real-world needs. The community pointed to prohibitively high upfront costs, fears over rapid depreciation, anxiety-inducing range limits on long trips, and the time required to recharge as major deterrents. A widespread lack of confidence in the UK's patchy public charging infrastructure, particularly outside major cities, was a recurring theme.
The Economic and Infrastructure Hurdles for EVs
The sentiment among commentators was clear: until EVs become cheaper, more convenient, and genuinely comparable in everyday use, drivers will stick with familiar technology. One reader, Jeffslater, argued that "as long as the UK charging network remains so hopelessly inadequate, unreliable and expensive, EV sales won’t take off."
Another, using the pseudonym BlueWhale, raised a critical economic point for fuel retailers, noting that replacing a fast diesel pump with a charger that takes 30 minutes is not viable. "You’d serve a tenth of the customers at a fraction of the profit," they wrote.
Financial concerns for consumers were also paramount. Readers highlighted that many modern EVs still carry a premium price tag and "depreciate faster than unchilled ice cream," putting them out of reach for ordinary buyers. Husarz1683 lamented being unable to afford an EV that would offer the same range peace of mind as their diesel, which could travel from Brighton to the Scottish Highlands on a single tank.
A Long Tail for Existing Diesel Vehicles
Despite diesel's shrinking share of new car sales—recently just 4-5% of the market—readers were sceptical about its imminent demise. Many pointed to the enduring lifespan of diesel vehicles and ongoing demand in key sectors. Ian Robinson noted that 90% of new vans and 100% of new trucks are still diesel, with fleets expecting a 10-year service life, ensuring demand for years.
KernowAlex echoed this, stating "Diesel vehicles last. Those bought new today will likely still be on the road in 2040." Others questioned the environmental logic of scrapping perfectly roadworthy diesel cars, like bloodwort's 10-year-old model, which they plan to drive for many more years.
While analyst SteveHill warned that buying a new diesel today carries a risk of plummeting resale value, the overarching message from the community was one of stubborn practicality. As summed up by one reader, the switch to electric will not happen simply because diesel becomes harder to find; it will require a fundamental improvement in the value proposition and infrastructure that drivers experience every day.
