Diesel pumps could disappear from some petrol stations in just FOUR years as the “death of diesel” accelerates, a shock new report has warned. Motorists have been told that filling up the tank could soon become a major headache, with forecourts set to ditch the fuel to make space for electric vehicle (EV) chargers.
A report by EV think tank New AutoMotive predicts that some filling stations in London will stop selling diesel by 2030 as demand plummets. And the picture looks even bleaker nationwide, with many of the UK’s 8,400 forecourts predicted to scrap the fuel entirely by 2035.
Experts say the move is being driven by a massive drop in the number of diesel motors on our roads, sparking a “tipping point” where stocking the fuel simply isn’t worth it for retailers. Ben Nelmes, chief executive of New AutoMotive, warned that diesel “does not keep well” if it isn’t sold quickly. He said: “If fuel sits in tanks without selling at pace, it degrades. As diesel availability tightens, many motorists will conclude the smartest option is to avoid the headache and go electric.”
Diesel sales crashing, car numbers falling fast
The stats paint a grim picture for the future of the fuel. Sales are crashing, with the amount of diesel sold in 2023 sitting 22% lower than the peak seen in 2017. Car numbers are also falling fast. In just ten years, there could be as few as 250,000 diesel cars left on British roads, which is a massive drop from the 15.5million counted in June 2025.
London is expected to be the first UK city to have zero diesel cars, largely due to the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). Drivers of older diesel cars (registered before September 2015) already face a punishing £12.50 daily fee to drive anywhere in the capital.
However, a government spokesperson said there was no evidence forecourts will no longer stock diesel from 2030. “We know it’s vital businesses feel supported in the transition to electric, and that’s why we’re backing industry with £7.5bn, boosting British manufacturing and supporting the jobs of the future,” they said.
RAC Foundation director warns against writing off diesel too soon
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said we could soon see a bizarre reversal of roles. While EV drivers used to worry about finding chargers, it might soon be diesel drivers “anxiously seeking service stations where they can still fill up.” However, he warned against writing off diesel too soon, noting that “White Van Man” and the haulage industry still rely heavily on it. He said: “It feels like a brave move to call the death of diesel today when the vast majority of the vans and trucks that power our economy are still diesel-fuelled.”
While the Government plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, you will still be allowed to drive your existing car. But forecourts are already changing. The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) revealed that only 57% of its members believe fuel will be their main source of cash in a decade. Instead, stations are investing in high-powered EV chargers, bigger shops, and “first-class valeting” to lure in customers.
Delvin Lane, boss of charging giant InstaVolt, said the shift isn’t about forcing drivers’ hands. He said: “For drivers, this is not about being pushed into electric. It’s a rational choice, driven by better technology.”
