I AM concerned and confused about the mounting negative comments in the media regarding pollution caused by diesel vehicles, particularly cars.

Let me put the record straight.

The Government originally stated we had to control the CO2 emissions from vehicles, and since efficient diesel engines produce low rates of CO2 per kilometre travelled – and incidentally more miles per gallon when compared to similar petrol models – a lot of responsible people opted for a diesel car.

This obviously increased the number of diesels on the road, which led to fewer visits to the petrol (diesel) station and, of course, less money for the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Hence the premium charge on diesel fuel as opposed to petrol – I believe this had very little to do with concerns about the health of the general public.

This country is built on trade and our stores are supplied by HGVs of all different sizes, weights and classes. However most of them are diesel powered.

Indeed we have seen a rise in online shopping from all the major supermarkets, all delivered to your door in a diesel-powered van.

Petrol engines have not been developed to the stage where they are capable of carrying the loads that diesel vehicles can, economically, and certainly could not pull a 40-tonne rig.

Many cities are considering congestion charges and some may even be considering adding a premium on top for diesel powered vehicles.

Yet these city centres have to be serviced by diesel vehicles.

In addition many buses, coaches, taxis etc traverse the cities incessantly, never switching their engines off.

Why has the private motorist been singled out for extra charging as I believe the many bus, coach and taxi firms are/would be exempt from the charges?

I had my 1.6 HDI diesel-powered car, averaging in the region of 50mpg, MOT’d recently. One surprising, but welcome, comment from the test station was that the emissions from my car were so low they were not registering on its test meter and therefore could not produce the usual print out.

To my mind this proves the efficiency of the catalytic converter and DPF (diesel particulate filter) fitted to the car.

This phenomenon is recorded in the ‘advisory’ section of the certificate. 

I urge politicians and others to stop having a go at diesel car drivers who, in the main, responded to the original government plea to buy vehicles that polluted less.

It is not our fault they put the health of the environment as their priority.

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