Here’s the first punch: taxes. The UK government loves a good fuel duty. But diesel gets an extra special hug. Since 1997, the tax difference has been small, but a secret carbon tax sneaks in.
Diesel engines burn leaner, meaning less CO2 per mile. But they belch out more nitrogen oxides and soot. To punish that dirt, the Treasury added a sulphur tax in the early 2000s. That extra 2 pence per litre never went away.
It’s a classic government trick. “You’re saving the planet from CO2? Great! Here’s a tax for ruining our lungs.” Ouch.
