Diesel car sales to plunge again this year, study warns

Image copyrightPAThe worst is yet to come for diesel cars which will see their sales continue to plunge, a study has warned.Aston University predicts they will account for just 15% of the UK market by 2025, down from a 50% peak.Automotive expert Professor David Bailey said diesel's "slow death" was being driven by "environmental pressures and consumer confusion" .He is urging the government to set up a scrappage scheme to encourage drivers to switch to electric cars.UK car sales see first drop for six yearsWhat's gone wrong in the UK car market?"The time is right for the government to take the initiative and offer up scrappage benefits to those who are prepared to ditch their diesels and switch to electric cars," he said.The latest figures from industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed sales of new diesel cars fell 17.1% last year as higher taxes and pollution fears hit demand.Aston University expects a further 10% drop in sales this year and says diesel will account for less than a third of the market by 2020.