Skip advert
Advertisement

'2020 is set to be the year of the EV... and the diesel?'

As diesel continues to get a bad press, some bigwigs in the industry think a comeback is one the cards, says Steve Fowler

OPINION Vauxhall Corsa

“I believe diesel will bounce back next year – you can quote me on that.” They’re the words of Vauxhall boss Stephen Norman – a man whose views on the car industry I would definitely trust – talking to me on the eve of the launch of the new Vauxhall Corsa.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The car will be available with three powertrains: petrol, diesel and electric. And as much as most of the excitement is around the electric version, Norman says that diesel is far from dead. “There’ll be a rebalancing of petrol and diesel,” he told me. “With the Corsa diesel you can get around 70mpg; who doesn’t want that?”

Best superminis on sale

Diesel continues to get a bad press – not least from some legislators (hello, Bristol City Council) who want to treat all diesel vehicles the same, even the very latest, ultra-clean, Euro 6-compliant models. 

Norman’s point is that there are many people who’ve jumped out of diesel cars into petrol models and been shocked by their fuel bills. And while we’re not quite as convinced as he is about choosing a diesel Corsa, we most definitely believe that diesel still has its place.

As a brand, Vauxhall is being reinvented brilliantly under Norman’s stewardship. With PSA control has come greater focus, while the product is improving fast. Having spent some time in the new Corsa, I was impressed by its quality, style and the way it drove; it has an element of maturity and fun that just felt very Vauxhall.

I also like the idea that you can take your pick from the very latest power technologies. The electric car will certainly grab the headlines and provide a challenge for Vauxhall dealers who only now are starting to sell the brand’s first plug-in hybrid, just as a full EV arrives.

“We’ve never trained our network more than on electrification,” Norman told me. “Electrification will go across our entire range.” That may be the case, but he’s also making sure his company, and its dealers, get the balance right. There’s plenty of life in petrol (and diesel) yet.

Do you think that diesel will see a sales resurrection? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Steve Fowler has previously edited Auto Express, Carbuyer, DrivingElectric, What Car?, Autocar and What Hi-Fi? and has been writing about cars for the best part of 30 years. 

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best-selling cars 2025: the year's 10 most popular models
Best selling cars - April 2025

Best-selling cars 2025: the year's 10 most popular models

These are officially Britain’s biggest-selling new cars so far this year
Best cars & vans
6 May 2025
Best car leasing deals 2025: today's top lease offers on great new cars
Best car leasing deals - header image

Best car leasing deals 2025: today's top lease offers on great new cars

Car leasing can get you behind the wheel of a new car for less. Our experts have picked the best around this week.
Best cars & vans
17 Apr 2025
Best first cars for new drivers 2025
Best first cars - header image

Best first cars for new drivers 2025

These are the best cars for first time drivers, all of which are cheap, easy to drive and safe
Best cars & vans
8 Apr 2025
Entry-level Vauxhall Corsa Yes Edition adds hybrid option and more powerful electric powertrain
Vauxhall Corsa Yes Edition - front

Entry-level Vauxhall Corsa Yes Edition adds hybrid option and more powerful electric powertrain

The big-battery Vauxhall Corsa Electric now gets a sub-£29k price tag courtesy of the Yes Edition 
News
1 Apr 2025

Most Popular

EV affordability alarm! Running costs are £6k higher than for petrol cars, say car clubs
BYD Atto 3 - front cornering

EV affordability alarm! Running costs are £6k higher than for petrol cars, say car clubs

Running costs for car share club EVs are £6k higher than ICE equivalents according to new data
News
8 May 2025
New BMW 1 Series and electric i1 to target younger drivers with bold design
BMW 1 Series render - front

New BMW 1 Series and electric i1 to target younger drivers with bold design

The BMW 1 Series is set for a shake-up, with a Neue Klasse front end and a choice of hybrid or battery electric powertrains when it arrives in showroo…
News
7 May 2025
All-new Hyundai Elexio: Bizarre design, huge 435-mile electric range
All-new Hyundai Elexio - front static

All-new Hyundai Elexio: Bizarre design, huge 435-mile electric range

The Elexio is Hyundai’s latest all-electric SUV, but this one has been designed exclusively for China
News
8 May 2025