Disaffection towards diesel engine cars is spreading all over Europe, said the International Energy Agency.
The market share of diesel cars in the European Union fell to 36.5 percent in the first half of 2018 from 42.5 percent in the first half of 2017, reported the IEA.
Sales declined by 16 percent to 3.12 million units, with Britain sinking to 30 percent.
In Germany, home to some of the world’s biggest diesel car producers including Volkswagen AG and BMW, diesels dropped to 31.1 percent of the total in the first half of 2018 from 41.3 percent a year earlier.
It has led to a surplus of diesel fuel being produced and held and this could in a short time lead to price cuts at the pumps which will hit Government revenues as well.
In Britain, the steep fall in diesel demand was blamed by Jaguar Land Rover on their declining sales this year as the majority of their models went to businesses and owners who valued the greater economy of these engines over petrol derivatives.
The drop will also pose issues for any vehicle manufacturer or supplier of diesel engines who relies on them for business success. The PSA Group, which includes Vauxhall in the UK along with Peugeot Citroen and DS, has already said it is running down diesel and will be moving towards more hybrids and electric vehicles over the next two years. Other manufacturers are also ramping up their low carbon models and seeking hydrogen power as the fuels of the future.