Which is 'greener'? Petrol or diesel?

[simon.r]

It's coming up to new company car time again and I'm fortunate in that I have a fairly wide choice of vehicles.

Is the 'greener' option a petrol engine car that does 40mpg, or a diesel engine car that does 60mpg? Annual mileage will be about 15,000 and I'll have the car for 3 years.

 

[The Jogger]

I would say petrol because of the particulates in the diesel.

 

[simon.r]

I would say petrol because of the particulates in the diesel.

That's the thought that prompted me to ask the question, but how do the emissions from burning 1.5x as much petrol compare (especially given that it will be a new engine which will, presumably, comply with whatever the latest regulations regarding emissions are)?

 

[stephec]

I would look at how much tax the car would cost me first.

 

[screenman]

Thinking out loud here, most new diesels will have a DPF so should be quite clean.

Must admit I prefer a diesel for my style of motoring.

 

[Andy_R]

I would say petrol because of the particulates in the diesel.

Modern DPFs take the majority away (85%-100%)

 

[Andy_R]

TMN to @screenman

 

[Archie_tect]

Try and do fewer miles and reap the benefits.

 

[screenman]

I would look at how much tax the car would cost me first.

I would check out which one's my bikes fit in.

Are cyclists the tightest breed going, what do they do with all their disposable income.

 

[Archie_tect]

What disposable income?

 

[Levo-Lon]

Be diesel for me to.
son in law has a new v40 1.6 d R design, fantastic performance small engine car and frugal too.

 

[simon.r]

I would look at how much tax the car w

I will, but would like to be a bit greener as well

Try and do fewer miles and reap the benefits.

Yes, you're right of course. The vast majority of my mileage is on business, which my employer requires me to do.

 

[winjim]

Long journeys/motorways: diesel for the lower CO2 emissions
Shorter journeys/urban driving: petrol for the lower NOx emissions

No driving could actually be described as green of course, except maybe @Drago 's chip fat special.

 

[mick1836]

LPG and cheaper to buy.

 

[Archie_tect]

Honda Civic diesel.... 74mpg... and no VED for your employer.

...or look at the Mitsubishi Outlander Hybrid.... really low company car tax and even better for your employer's P11D tax, up to 32 miles on one battery charge for start/stop around town driving and 52mpg using the diesel engine for motorways.... plus lots of room for bikes.