Asger Risom
A new report warns that in just four years, filling up could become difficult in parts of the UK.
The end of diesel may arrive far sooner than many British drivers expect. A new report warns that in just four years, filling up could become difficult in parts of the UK — a shift that could leave millions of cars stranded by the end of the decade.
A fast-closing window
Diesel demand is falling rapidly, and petrol stations are already preparing for a future dominated by electric vehicles. Experts say the change is no longer theoretical, with timelines now emerging for when diesel could start disappearing from pumps altogether.
The transformation is being driven by shrinking sales, tighter emissions rules and the need to free up space for charging infrastructure.
Four years to go
Analysis by EV think tank New AutoMotive predicts that some petrol stations in London will stop selling diesel by 2030 — just four years away — as demand continues to collapse.
The outlook beyond the capital is even starker. The report suggests that many of the UK’s 8,400 petrol stations could scrap diesel entirely by 2035, fundamentally reshaping how drivers refuel.
Why diesel is fading
Diesel sales in 2023 were already 22% lower than their peak in 2017, and the number of diesel cars on British roads is falling sharply.
Ben Nelmes, chief executive of New AutoMotive, said the fuel’s decline creates practical problems for retailers. “If fuel sits in tanks without selling at pace, it degrades,” he said.
He added: “As diesel availability tightens, many motorists will conclude the smartest option is to avoid the headache and go electric.”
The think tank estimates there could be as few as 250,000 diesel cars left in the UK within ten years, down from 15.5 million recorded in mid-2025.
London first, Britain next
London is expected to lead the shift, driven largely by the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone. Diesel cars registered before September 2015 already face a £12.50 daily charge to drive anywhere in the capital.
A government spokesperson said there was no evidence petrol stations would stop selling diesel from 2030, adding: “We know it’s vital businesses feel supported in the transition to electric, and that’s why we’re backing industry with £7.5bn.”
Warnings against complacency
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, cautioned against declaring diesel finished too soon. He said diesel drivers could soon be “anxiously seeking service stations where they can still fill up,” but stressed that vans and heavy goods vehicles still rely heavily on the fuel.
Even so, the Petrol Retailers Association said only 57% of its members believe fuel will remain their main income in ten years, as investment shifts toward charging points, retail and services.
An unavoidable shift
Drivers will still be allowed to keep petrol and diesel cars after the 2030 ban on new sales. But if diesel becomes harder to find within four years, ownership could quickly turn impractical.
For many motorists, the death of diesel may not come with a ban — but with nowhere left to fill up.
Sources: New AutoMotive, RAC Foundation, Petrol Retailers Association
