There is a saying "what goes around, comes around". This certainly applies where diesel powered cars are concerned.
Thirty years ago, diesel powered cars (or "oil-burners" as they were often referred to) were an unpopular choice with the general public on the car sales forecourt, often regarded as being only suited to powering lorries, vans, and taxis.
However, advances in technology transformed the fortunes of the humble diesel engine. What was a once slow, noisy, and dirty vehicle, quickly transformed into a quick, efficient, and economical alternative to a petrol powered alternative. The use of catalytic converters, fuel filters and a turbo powered fuel injection system put diesel on an equal footing with petrol.
But, as quickly as we have seen the rise of diesel, it looks like we are also going to witness its demise.
Recently caught up in the centre of an emissions cheating scandal, future government policy looks set to reflect the growing body of evidence that suggests diesel cars are significantly more polluting than first thought. Local councils across the country are also starting to look at proposals to implement city centre 'congestion charges' on drivers of diesel vehicles.
Latest sales figures in the UK show that diesel market share is at its lowest point since 2009, which suggests that it could be the end of the road for this once popular choice at car dealers showroom.
