According to a recent report, a significant number of fuel stations in the UK are expected to cease selling diesel within the next four years due to declining demand. The analysis conducted by New AutoMotive, an electric vehicle (EV) think tank, anticipates that a considerable portion of the approximately 8,400 filling stations nationwide will discontinue diesel sales by 2035.
The report suggests that this shift will likely prompt more drivers to transition to electric vehicles (EVs). The number of diesel vehicles on the roads and diesel fuel consumption have been steadily decreasing across the country. By 2035, it is projected that only around 250,000 diesel cars will remain in operation, a significant drop from the 15.5 million recorded by the end of June 2025.
London is poised to become the first city in the UK without any diesel cars as it implements the expansion of the ultra-low emission zone in 2023. The introduction of a daily fee of £12.50 for using a diesel car registered before September 2015 in the capital is expected to expedite this transition. The report indicates that it is probable that numerous filling stations in London will opt to discontinue diesel sales before the decade concludes.
The report underscores the ongoing decline in diesel fuel sales nationwide, primarily driven by the diminishing numbers of diesel cars. While it is challenging to precisely determine when most filling stations will cease stocking diesel, there is a clear likelihood that a substantial portion will do so during the 2030s.
Some fuel stations have already started offering EV charging services as an alternative. The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) disclosed that only 57% of its members believe fuel will remain a core revenue source in the next ten years. New Automotive highlighted that diesel sales for cars experienced a consistent rise from 2005 to 2017 but have been on a downward trend since then.
In 2023, diesel sales were 22% lower than the peak. Although the Government plans to prohibit the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, there are currently no proposals to outlaw the use of existing vehicles.
Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reveals that only 5.1% of new car purchases last year were diesels. Meanwhile, petrol and pure battery electric vehicles accounted for market shares of 46.4% and 23.4%, respectively. Ben Nelmes, the chief executive of New Automotive, emphasized that as fewer individuals opt for diesel cars, filling stations will naturally phase out diesel due to its limited shelf life.
Nelmes further explained that stagnant diesel stocks degrade over time as they remain unsold, prompting many motorists to lean towards electric vehicles as a more practical choice. Delvin Lane, CEO of chargepoint provider InstaVolt, pointed out that certain filling stations have begun offering high-powered EV charging to offer smoother, cleaner, and more convenient journeys.
He emphasized that the transition to electric vehicles is not about coercion but rather a logical decision fueled by advancements in technology. While the PRA spokesperson mentioned that members currently have no definitive plans to discontinue diesel sales, they are actively monitoring changing consumer preferences and adapting their services accordingly.
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, highlighted the potential irony in the future lack of public EV chargepoints as diesel drivers seek out remaining fuel stations. He suggested that a tipping point will eventually be reached where the commercial viability of stocking diesel fuel at every forecourt diminishes significantly, though he acknowledged the prevalent use of diesel in vans and trucks that power the economy.