[I was certainly around in 2001 when they introduced tax changes based on CO2 emissions. It was aimed at reducing global warming - hence the CO2 link . So what sort of tax savings might a diesel car buyer make? £20? Maybe £40? You dont make a car buying decision based on that sort of money .
Well my XJR went up to £500 and my OH's Renault is £zero so rather more than £20 difference.
You're obviously out of touch with the behaviour of the great unwashed
The British public did indeed make car buying decisions on that basis and now they're doing it again - in reverse.
For the millions of company car owners the incentive was even greater and hence more effective. Try to find a petrol-engined rep until recently.
Diesel cars were always more efficient, but sales didn't take off until petrol cars were legislated against by the Labour government.
To be "fair" Tony Blair's bunch weren't the only ones. The EU implemented regulations tailored to suit diesel engine producers.
I'm sure that had nothing to do with lobbying the EU or the fact that the European motor industry lagged behind in other technologies.
Each successive Euro rating creates a marketing opportunity for the manufacturers to sell more vehicles and pillory the older models that we all bought from them only a few years previously.
Now where did I put those batteries ?
