BS4 Diesel Cars Ban In Delhi: Should You Avoid Buying Now?

With the anti-diesel buyer sentiments and government policies in the wake of pollution, diesel engines are breathing in what could probably be their last few years.

BS4 Diesel Cars Ban In Delhi

Source : Somnath Chatterjee

While recently BS4 diesel cars were banned in Delhi for a considerable amount of time, it brought back the spotlight again to diesel powertrains in particular and how they will affect new car buying decisions. It is clear that diesel is in a minority right now and most new car sales are petrol. That is partly due to the anti diesel sentiment and more importantly due to diesel not being offered in a majority of cars costing below Rs 10 lakh. 

The top 10 or top 20 best selling cars in India have very few diesel-powered cars, and that is because only a few remain in the market as a new car option. Upgrading to stricter emission norms, high prices have made many car makers give up on diesel other than a handful, who still have some diesel models under their label.  That said, if you are planning to buy a new diesel, running one for several years seems to be the question that no one can answer due to the diesel ban on BS4 or even the 10 year limit on diesel cars in NCR. 

Currently only a few diesels are offered but mostly on bigger SUVs where the torque of diesel makes sense, besides bringing in more efficiency to the table. In that sense, a diesel still makes sense and will continue for a few years with the latest engines complying with the toughest norms. That said, prospective owners run the risk of higher costs in terms of maintenance, possibility of low resale value and many years down the line, running diesel cars could be an issue in cities like the recent BS4 diesel ban in Delhi. While diesel has a few years left and soldiers on in few SUVs, truth is that it is quickly running out in favour with the buyer.