Diesel cars face extinction, but why are these models still in high demand?

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• The Shrinking World of Diesel
• The Dutch Example: A Case Study in Change
• Why Hybrids Trump Diesels—And Why Some Diesels Still Stand Strong
• The Road Ahead: A Clear Endgame

Diesel cars are fast becoming an endangered species across Europe, but if you thought that meant no one was interested anymore, think again. Whether you’re a fan of that familiar diesel clatter or just keeping an eye on the used car market, the high demand for specific models reveals a surprising resilience. So, why are diesel vehicles both disappearing and still in demand? Let’s take a drive through the facts.

The Shrinking World of Diesel

Ten years ago, European car buyers had a buffet of over 200 diesel models to choose from. Fast forward to 2025, and that spread has been trimmed to fewer than 100 options—a mere third of what was once on offer. The numbers tell the tale: while diesel engines once powered more than half of all new car sales, their share has now dropped to just a few percent of the market. It’s official—diesel is being shown the door.

The Dutch Example: A Case Study in Change

Nowhere is this shift as stark as in the Netherlands. In the first half of 2025, only 2,556 brand new diesel cars were registered—scraping together just 1.6% of total new registrations. By comparison, hybrids are taking center stage: in July, over 50% of all new cars sold were hybrids.

But the descent of diesel began before Volkswagen’s infamous Dieselgate scandal in 2015, though that debacle certainly gave the trend a turbo boost. Since then, buyers have faced higher purchase costs for diesels, stricter environmental regulations, and formidable competition from the rise of hybrids and electric vehicles. In the Netherlands, specifically, fiscal measures and low-emission zones have accelerated diesel’s retreat. Cities are increasingly closing their gates to older diesel vehicles that can’t meet modern emission standards. Clearly, it isn’t just the car companies or emissions scandals driving this decline—policies and urban planning are playing their part too.

Why Hybrids Trump Diesels—And Why Some Diesels Still Stand Strong

Modern hybrids have muscled in with an irresistible offer: for the same outlay, a petrol-hybrid will typically emit 25–30% less CO₂ than its diesel counterpart. Real-world emissions from diesels, meanwhile, rarely live up to the optimistic numbers on paper. Even attempts to blend diesel with hybrid technology—think the Mercedes E-Class plug-in hybrid—haven’t really caught on.

But here’s the twist: used diesel cars, especially in some categories, are standing their ground in terms of resale value. Premium SUVs and off-roaders like the Range Rover Evoque and Volkswagen Touareg, and even a classic diesel Volkswagen Golf, still command loyalty on the secondhand market. In Spain, a whopping 60% of vehicles still run on diesel—proof that old habits die hard. Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, the secondhand diesel market has stayed fairly stable. And as supply of newer diesels continues to shrink, scarcity could even nudge prices upward over the next few years.

• Premium SUVs and terrain vehicles remain strong on the used market
• Classic models like the diesel Golf hold considerable value
• 60% of Spain’s fleet is still diesel-powered

The Road Ahead: A Clear Endgame

Cox Automotive predicts that diesel’s market share in Europe will slip below 2% by 2028. The EU has already fired the starter’s pistol on the final lap: by 2035, no new cars with combustion engines—whether petrol or diesel—can be sold.

For the Netherlands, this marks a definite turning point. Diesels will continue to rumble on in the used car sector and in heavy-duty vehicles like trucks and buses—for now. But for the average car owner, the clock is ticking. The diesel farewell tour isn’t over quite yet, but it’s playing its last encores.

A Thought to Leave You With
While the age of diesel is drawing to a close, some models are clearly not going into that good night quietly. If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or just holding onto your diesel, keep an eye on those market twists. The end may be nigh, but in some European corners, diesel still has a few loyal fans burning the midnight oil.