Damon Mcknight
Diesel cars are currently a significant part of Australia's vehicle fleet, with around 2.6 million Australians driving diesel vehicles as of 2021, representing about one-sixth of the country's car drivers. However, the future of diesel cars in Australia is uncertain. While there is no country-wide ban on diesel cars as of 2024, the rise in popularity of electric vehicles and hybrids, coupled with environmental concerns and stricter emission regulations, means we can expect to see a decrease in the number of diesel cars on Australian roads in the coming years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Australians driving diesel vehicles | 2.6 million |
| Percentage of Australians driving diesel vehicles | 16% |
| Number of Australians driving petrol vehicles | 12.9 million |
| Percentage of Australians driving petrol vehicles | 80% |
| Number of Australians driving hybrid vehicles | 270,000 |
| Number of Australians driving LPG vehicles | 200,000 |
| Number of Australians driving electric vehicles | 40,000 |
| Number of diesel vehicles as a percentage of the national fleet in 2021 | 26.4% |
| Number of diesel vehicles sold in Australia in 2023 | 379,512 |
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What You'll Learn
Popularity of diesel cars in Australia
Diesel cars have been popular in Australia, with about one-sixth (16%) of the country's current car fleet being powered by diesel. This amounts to over 2.6 million Australians driving diesel vehicles, according to Roy Morgan Research. Toyota is the market leader in Australia, with about 19% of diesel vehicles on Australian roads being Toyotas. Other popular brands include Mitsubishi, Ford, and Holden, which make up around a quarter of diesel vehicles each.
However, the popularity of diesel cars in Australia may be declining. The number of consumers considering buying diesel vehicles has been falling over the years, with a decrease of nearly 10% points in the last five years. This is likely due to the rise in popularity of environmentally friendly vehicles, with more consumers looking to switch to hybrid and electric vehicles. The recent 'Dieselgate' controversy, which involved false claims about the clean emissions of diesel vehicles, has also damaged the reputation of diesel.
Despite this, diesel cars still have a significant presence in Australia. Australians bought 379,512 diesels in 2023, and sales of diesel-powered SUVs and light commercial vehicles increased in the first quarter of 2024. Additionally, some car manufacturers have not yet made the switch to electric vehicles, so options are still available for those who prefer diesel.
Looking to the future, it is likely that the popularity of diesel cars in Australia will continue to decline. The Committee for Sydney has announced plans to ban diesel cars in 2027, and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has set a similar deadline for 2035. With electric vehicles becoming more popular and restrictions on diesel cars increasing, consumer demand for diesel is expected to decrease. However, it is important to note that diesel engines are still widely used in heavy transport trucks and larger SUVs, and a complete removal of diesel engines from the roads may be challenging.
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Manufacturers of diesel cars in Australia
Diesel cars are currently the second most popular type of vehicle in Australia, with around 2.6 million Australians driving them. This popularity is reflected in the number of manufacturers that produce diesel cars for the Australian market.
Toyota is the clear market leader, with about 19% of diesel vehicles on Australian roads being Toyotas. Following Toyota, Mitsubishi, Ford, Holden, and Hyundai make up the rest of the top five manufacturers, with each brand accounting for around a quarter of the diesel vehicles in the country. Other manufacturers with a notable presence in the Australian diesel car market include Volkswagen, Nissan, and Mazda.
While the popularity of diesel vehicles is high, there has been a recent shift in focus towards more environmentally friendly options. This shift has led to an increase in the number of consumers considering hybrid and electric vehicles. As a result, some manufacturers have started to move away from diesel as an engine option. For example, Toyota, which has the largest fleet of diesel vehicles in Australia, has also announced plans to become carbon neutral by 2040 and to sell all its new cars and SUVs with zero tailpipe emissions by 2035.
Despite this trend, some manufacturers are still producing diesel vehicles for the Australian market. Mazda, for instance, offers a 3.3-litre six-cylinder diesel engine with mild hybrid technology in its CX-70 and CX-80 models. Similarly, Kia's 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine is a popular choice for Australians, and the company has not yet set an 'end of internal combustion' deadline. Volkswagen is another manufacturer that continues to produce diesel vehicles, such as the Volkswagen California campervan, and Ford's Ranger model remains one of the best-selling vehicles in Australia, powered predominantly by diesel.
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Future of diesel cars in Australia
Diesel cars are currently very popular in Australia. Over 2.6 million Australians drive diesel vehicles, which is about one-sixth of the country's car drivers. In 2023, 4% of new cars sold used diesel, while 21.6% of SUV sales had diesel engines. Australians bought 379,512 diesels in 2023, with sales of diesel-powered SUVs and light commercial vehicles increasing in the first quarter of 2024.
However, the future of diesel cars in Australia is uncertain. While diesel cars are popular because of their size, power, and fuel efficiency, there has been a decline in sales in almost every category except SUVs and utes. The recent 'Dieselgate' controversy, which involved false claims about the clean emissions of diesel vehicles, has further damaged the reputation of diesel.
There are also environmental concerns associated with diesel cars. Diesel engines cause pollution and produce particulate matter, which can activate cancer cells in the human body. As a result, several organizations have recommended banning the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has already announced plans to end the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035, and other states and territories may follow suit to cut down on emissions by 2050.
While a complete disappearance of diesel cars is unlikely in the near future, the trend suggests a decline in demand for diesel vehicles. The rise in popularity of electric vehicles and hybrid cars, coupled with increasing restrictions on diesel cars, indicates that electric vehicles may surpass diesel cars in popularity. Australia is also likely to follow the EU in moving towards a total ban on diesel vehicles, which will reduce the supply of diesel vehicles from European manufacturers.
In summary, while diesel cars are currently prevalent in Australia, their future looks increasingly limited. With environmental concerns, tightening regulations, and the rising popularity of alternative fuel vehicles, the demand for diesel cars in Australia is expected to decrease in the coming years.
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Diesel cars vs. electric cars in Australia
In Australia, about one-sixth (16%) of the country's current car fleet is powered by diesel, while around four-fifths (80%) is petrol-powered, with the remainder split between hybrid (petrol and electric), LPG (gas), and fully electric vehicles. As of 2023, there were 2.6 million diesel vehicles in Australia, out of a total of 16.2 million cars.
The popularity of diesel cars in Australia is expected to decline in the coming years. This is due to a variety of factors, including the rise in popularity of environmentally friendly vehicles, the move by car manufacturers to phase out diesel engines, and the increasing number of restrictions on diesel cars.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to diesel and petrol cars in Australia. In the past year, Australians bought 40,000 new EVs, almost double the number purchased in 2021. Electric vehicles offer significant cost savings over diesel and petrol cars, with lower running costs and cheaper servicing. However, they are typically more expensive to buy and insure than traditional cars.
Despite the growing popularity of electric vehicles, diesel cars still have a significant presence in Australia. Toyota is the market leader, with about 19% of diesel vehicles on Australian roads being Toyotas. Additionally, diesel-powered SUVs and light commercial vehicles saw an increase in sales in the first quarter of 2024.
In conclusion, while the future of diesel cars in Australia appears uncertain, with a decline in popularity and increasing restrictions, they still represent a significant portion of the country's vehicle fleet. Electric vehicles are gaining traction as a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative, but the transition away from diesel is expected to be gradual, with some manufacturers still offering diesel options for consumers who prefer them.
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Diesel cars' impact on the environment
Diesel cars have a significant impact on the environment. As of 2024, there are over 2.6 million diesel vehicles in Australia, representing about one-sixth of the country's car drivers. While diesel engines are the most efficient prime movers commonly available, they are also one of the largest contributors to environmental pollution. The burning of diesel fuel releases harmful emissions, including ground-level ozone, particulate matter, and oxides of nitrogen (NOx), which contribute to smog, acid rain, and other forms of air pollution. These emissions have serious human health and environmental effects, causing heart and lung disease and damaging plants, animals, crops, and water resources.
To address the environmental and health impacts of diesel emissions, control programs and fuel changes have been implemented in some regions. For example, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established standards for the sulfur content of diesel fuel and emissions from new diesel engines. These regulations have led to the production of Ultra-Low-Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) fuel, which has significantly reduced sulfur content. Similar regulations have been adopted in Australia, with all new diesel light vehicles required to meet the Euro 6 standards, reducing permissible Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions.
Despite these efforts, the increasing vehicle population and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) continue to cause ever-increasing global emissions from diesel engines. In Australia, the popularity of diesel vehicles has been declining, with consumers showing a growing interest in hybrid and electric vehicles. However, diesel engines remain prevalent, particularly in heavy transport trucks and larger SUVs used by businesses. The slow turnover of these vehicles poses a challenge in reducing diesel emissions.
New technologies, such as hybrids and fuel cells, offer promising solutions to reduce emissions from diesel sources. Additionally, modifications such as engine changes, exhaust gas recirculation, and catalytic aftertreatment can significantly reduce emissions over time. While the transition away from diesel engines may take time, it is likely that Australia will follow the EU and other regions in moving towards a ban on diesel vehicles to meet emissions reduction targets.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2021, there were 2.6 million diesel vehicles in Australia, making up 26.4% of the national fleet. This number is expected to decrease in the coming years.
As of 2021, diesel cars made up about 16% of Australia's car fleet, while petrol-powered cars made up 80%.
While there has been no country-wide announcement about a total ban on diesel cars, their popularity is expected to decrease in the coming years. The Committee for Sydney has announced plans to ban diesel cars by 2027, and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has set a similar deadline for 2035. Manufacturers are increasingly moving towards electric vehicles (EVs), and consumers are also showing a growing preference for EVs and hybrid vehicles.
