Fuel for your lovin'

Petrol-run cars are no longer the first choice for car buyers, according to a survey by What Car?

The online survey by whatcar.com revealed that petrol-engined vehicles have fallen out of favour with car buyers and the majority of people are opting for diesel-run or alternative-fuelled cars. The survey indicated that 62% of respondents will choose a diesel and only 28% will purchase a petrol when they next replace their car. About 10% of the total respondents will opt for more greener forms of power. Of these 60% said their next cars will be a hybrid while 40% said they will consider bioethanol.

What Car? editor Steve Fowler said: ‘Consumers now have a choice. Cars are available with engines that can run on either petrol, diesel, electric power as well as bioethanol. Many years ago diesel engines were thought to be dirty, noisy and smelly: the opposite is true in the marketplace today. The latest diesel engines are economical, quiet, environmentally friendly and are highly sought-after in showrooms.’

According to figures provided by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders sales of diesel cars make up almost 40% of the new car buying market.

This year 2.3 million new car sales are forecast.

Motoring Milestones

Vehicles in the past have been driven by wind – In 1335 Italian Guido da Vigevano developed a windmill type drive to gears and thereafter the wheels.

Basic steam engines were developed in 1712. In 1765 James Watt invented the first pressurised steam engine that at the time was seen as efficient, ground- breaking and compact.

The diesel engine was invented by Dr Rudolf Diesel who filed for a patent on the technology in 1892.

Cars with petrol engines commenced production in 1896.