EU car sales: share of diesel engines 2015-2019, by brand
Diesel and its implications
Due to its higher thermodynamic efficiency, diesel surpassed gasoline as the most common fuel type for larger vehicles and has been increasingly used for passenger cars in the medium size range. In recent years, controversy surrounding the higher than advertised emission of nitrogen oxides as found out in the ICCT study leading to “Dieselgate”, has significantly dimmed the fuels popularity. This led to the decline in market share as seen in this statistic.
Where diesel cars are most popular
Of European countries, Ireland recorded the greatest share of new diesel cars. In 2010, 46 percent of all new passenger cars bought were run by a diesel motor. In comparison, the EU-28 average was 32 percent.