Your guide to cars on the market

• Diesel engine cars are suited to those who drive longer distances, typically more than 25,000km a year. They are slightly more expensive to buy than petrol cars however, savings are made back through better fuel economy when driving longer distances.
  
  New models are  fitted  with Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs), these are devices which reduce diesel car emissions by capturing exhaust particles. These particles are then burned off, which is why the diesel engine is suited to those driving longer distances.
• Diesel engines can produce more NOx than petrol, NOx stands for nitrogen oxide and includes Nitric Oxide and Nitrogen Dioxide. Recently this has become a topic of concern for potential buyers due to the recent Government ‘NOx Charge’. This will add an additional charge to new vehicles and imported ICE cars of €5 per mg/km for a car's initial 60mg/km. However,manufacturers have to adhere to strict European wide emission standards(currently Euro 6), now producing very little NOx emissions, meaning the charge will be lower on newer cars. Although older cars adhering to older standards could face higher charges of over €1,000 for cars over 5 years.
• On top of this, newer diesel engines are typically fitted with AdBlue emissions systems which help them reach Euro 6 standards. AdBlue is a liquid based additive that helps remove NOx emissions. Furthermore, Euro 7 standards, which are expected to come into effect between 2025 and 2030 are expected to make ICE cars totally, or close to, carbon neutral. Ultimately, diesel engines are suited to those who drive longer distances and are not suited to city drivers or those who stop and start.

Petrol engine

Diesel engine

• Petrol cars are more suitable for city drivers or those who drive shorter distances and are often more responsive, although this means they are less fuel efficient. While petrol is more expensive than diesel, petrol cars tend to be cheaper to buy.
  
  Unlike diesel cars they tend to produce less NOx but typically produce more CO2. Although they are similar to diesel engines because manufacturers of petrol cars also have to adhere to the Euro Emission Standard meaning there are strict regulations surrounding emissions. The newer petrol engine cars produce less CO2 than older petrol cars.
• If you are a city or urban driver or if you drive shorter distances but also need range from time to time then petrol would be more suited to you rather than diesel. The more responsive nature of a petrol engine combined with the comfort make it a better option. Petrol engines also need not worry about the Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) that diesel engines have,meaning petrol cars do not need to be driven long distances intermittently to burn off the built up particles.