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Whats going on with the prices at the moment? I'm not complaining, just interested. I think for the first time in my life, diesel is cheaper than petrol - what has caused this shift? Has tax on diesel been reduced? My local morrisons, in Pembrokeshire, is now 108.9 for diesel and 114.9 for petrol - the diesel dropped by 4 p overnight. Is 108.9 cheap compared to the rest of the country - what prices are people seeing?
Supply and demand...
I always thought that in my youth diesel was cheaper since it was just a dirty byproduct of petrol.
Apologies, did a search and that thread didnt come up.
[quote=jimjam ]I always thought that in my youth diesel was cheaper since it was just a dirty byproduct of petrol.Diesel used to be a fraction of the price of petrol.
Diesel used to be a fraction of the price of petrol.
Very, I used to sell the stuff & diesel was always a lot cheaper than petrol. I can't remember what the difference was in the 80's & 90's but once diesel cars became more popular due to their better MPG (at that time) the price went up. Funny that.
scotroutesDiesel used to be a fraction of the price of petrol.
Thanks, I'm not losing it then, there had to be a reason why my dad drove that noisey smelly orange mk1 golf. God how cool would that be now.. I remember in 1984 we had a particularly bad winter and my dad lighting a fire under that car to melt the diesel. Most alarming sight. I seem to remember a lot of swearing about ****ing diesel that year.
It's a sympathy vote. Diesel engines belong in agricultural vehicles, artics, and in generators, and pumps and stuff. They've no place under the bonnet of a car.
If you really do have to drive one, then you've probably shouldn't be having to pay more for the 'pleasure'
Yep, I remember diesel costing about 10p less than petrol (per gallon, obvs 😉 ). But I can also remember everyone moaning when petrol went all the way to the dizzying heights of 35p/litre.
Apparently te current inversion is down to a strong pound and a weak euro as we import our diesel from France or something...
binners - Member
It's a sympathy vote. Diesel engines belong in agricultural vehicles, artics, and in generators, and pumps and stuff. They've no place under the bonnet of a car.If you really do have to drive one, then you've probably shouldn't be having to pay more for the 'pleasure'
I dunno, they seem to be doing alright in a certain 24 hour endurance race, or have been for the last fourteen years.
I don't see why they shouldn't be used in a car:
The diesel engine has the highest thermal efficiency (engine efficiency) of any practical internal or external combustion engine due to its very high compression ratio and inherent lean burn which enables heat dissipation by the excess air. A small efficiency loss is also avoided compared to two-stroke non-direct-injection gasoline engines since unburnt fuel is not present at valve overlap and therefore no fuel goes directly from the intake/injection to the exhaust. Low-speed diesel engines (as used in ships and other applications where overall engine weight is relatively unimportant) can have a thermal efficiency that exceeds 50%
Seems like the ideal use to me.
Enjoy it while you can.
Insurance premium tax goes up in November, vehicle excise duty rates are changing in 2017, the EU is after us for encouraging diesel cars from 2001 onwards, and cities may charge diesel drivers more for parking permits, etc
[i]the EU is after us for encouraging diesel cars from 2001 onwards,[/i]
They may be right though, I thought the NOx and particulate pollution in cities is a problem, is it not?
A small efficiency loss is also avoided compared to [b]two-stroke [/b]non-direct-injection gasoline engines since unburnt fuel is not present at valve overlap and therefore no fuel goes directly from the intake/injection to the exhaust.
I'm struggling to remember the last car I drove with a two stroke spark motor.
The current round of direct injection petrol mills have significantly closed the gap between petrol & diesel
106.9 here in wigan/manchester. cheaper if you use tesco fuel and save. less than a quid 🙂
I thought the NOx and particulate pollution in cities is a problem
[url= http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/11571615/Dirty-diesel-cars-could-be-banished-as-Britain-ordered-to-cut-air-pollution.html ]Absolutely, and it's predicted that diesel drivers could be taxed as a result...[/url]
mrs_oab is convinced just buying a small petrol is a 'bad' idea based on the current fuel costs.
I suspect that the suggestions that diesel will be more highly taxed shortly will come to fruition. I also argue that our newer diesel engines cost a LOT more to service, and so plumped for a non diesel, non turbo, non intercooled, no supercharged, pretty basic engined car - this should reduce costs overall IME.
[i]Diesel used to be a fraction of the price of petrol. [/i]
Eh, when?
Years ago on the continent it was about 2/3's the price, but they also paid a higher level of yearly car tax if you had a diesel. And it was due to a lesser tax take on diesel over petrol - probably agriculture/business based reasons.
Diesel used to be a fraction of the price of petrol.Eh, when?
Years ago on the continent it was about 2/3's the price, but they also paid a higher level of yearly car tax if you had a diesel. And it was due to a lesser tax take on diesel over petrol - probably agriculture/business based reasons.
2/3rds is a fraction 😉
😆2/3rds is a fraction