The government’s new Road to Zero strategy is aimed at promoting the electric car, but it doesn’t rule out diesel cars entirely. In fact, diesel cars are still a great option for anyone that covers a lot of highway miles. The reason is that diesel cars typically get better fuel economy than their petrol counterparts, especially when you’re driving at higher speeds on the motorway. This makes them more cost-effective for those who do a lot of long-distance driving. In addition to improving fuel efficiency, diesel engines offer more torque than petrol vehicles. This is useful when you’re trying to accelerate up hills or when hauling large loads. Diesel engines also have a longer engine life than petrol models.

This is because the cylinders in a diesel engine are smaller and don’t need as many spark plugs to keep them running. However, if you’re planning to drive short trips regularly, a diesel vehicle isn’t the right choice for you. This is because short journeys cause the diesel particulate filter to clog more quickly than longer drives. If this happens, you’ll need to pay for the expensive repair costs that come with it. Fortunately, modern diesel cars are designed to prevent this from happening. The diesel exhaust contains a chemical that helps to break down soot particles into harmless nitrogen dioxide gases.

These chemicals are then expelled into the atmosphere by the hotter exhaust gases produced by diesel engines. This makes them safer than petrol vehicles that don’t use such a sophisticated system. If you’re interested in buying a diesel automobile, it’s important to compare the prices of the different models available on the market. It’s also worth taking a look at the car’s annual fuel costs. Although diesel fuel is more expensive than gasoline, it’s often cheaper in the long run.

This is because diesel engines are more efficient, and the extra upfront cost of a diesel vehicle will be paid for in fewer years than it would be if you bought a petrol model with the same specifications. If you’re looking for a new diesel vehicle, it’s also a good idea to consider a hybrid car that can recover energy that’s normally lost during stop-start driving. This will help to reduce your fuel bills even further. You can use a free annual fuel cost calculator to scope out your options in more detail.