The end of diesel is closer than you think. By 2030, many petrol stations could stop selling diesel fuel altogether, marking a seismic shift in how we power our vehicles. But here's where it gets controversial: while the government plans to ban new diesel car sales by 2030, there’s no proposal to outlaw existing diesel vehicles. So, what happens to the millions of diesel drivers still on the road? And this is the part most people miss: diesel fuel doesn’t keep well, meaning stations may stop stocking it long before drivers are ready to switch.
A recent report by electric vehicle (EV) think tank New AutoMotive predicts that diesel’s days are numbered. By 2035, many of the UK’s 8,400 filling stations will likely stop selling diesel, driven by plummeting demand. In fact, diesel car numbers are already in freefall—from 15.5 million today, the report forecasts just 250,000 diesel cars on UK roads by 2035. London is set to lead the charge, becoming the UK’s first diesel-free city as early as 2027, thanks to the expanded ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ). Since 2023, driving a diesel car registered before September 2015 in the capital costs £12.50 daily—a hefty price tag that’s pushing drivers to reconsider their options.
But is this shift fair to diesel drivers? Some argue that the transition is happening too quickly, leaving many without affordable alternatives. Others counter that the move to electric vehicles is long overdue, given the environmental benefits. The data is clear: diesel sales peaked in 2017 and have been declining ever since, with 2023 sales 22% lower than the peak. Last year, just 5.1% of new cars sold were diesel, compared to 23.4% being pure battery electric. Even petrol retailers are hedging their bets—only 57% of Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) members believe fuel will be a core revenue source by 2030.
So, what’s driving this change? For starters, diesel fuel degrades quickly if left unused, making it a poor investment for stations with dwindling demand. As New AutoMotive CEO Ben Nelmes explains, ‘If fuel sits in tanks without selling, it degrades. As diesel availability tightens, many motorists will conclude the smartest option is to go electric.’ Meanwhile, filling stations are already pivoting, with some offering high-powered EV charging to meet growing demand. InstaVolt CEO Delvin Lane puts it simply: ‘This isn’t about forcing drivers into electric—it’s a rational choice, driven by better technology.’
But not everyone is convinced. The PRA insists its members have ‘no definitive plans to cease selling diesel,’ though they’re investing in EV charging and other services to stay competitive. And while RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding notes the irony of diesel drivers one day scrambling to find fuel, he warns it’s premature to declare diesel’s death. After all, most vans and trucks—the backbone of our economy—still run on diesel.
So, is the shift away from diesel a necessary step toward a greener future, or an unfair burden on drivers who rely on it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. One thing’s for sure: the road ahead is electric, and the transition is happening faster than most realize.
