The huge risk in buying a diesel car in 2024

Step 1: Buy diesel car or SUV

Step 2: Your state introduces law that says, diesel cars above ten years of age are banned

Step 3: Cry.

This has been a fear for a while now, and Himachal’s decision to mandatorily scrap 10-year old diesel cars make this a real possibility for all of us across India.

The government of India, in its attempt to increase efforts to reduce pollution, is slowly phasing out diesel vehicles. Recently, the government of Himachal Pradesh joined the list of governments that have implemented the vehicle scrappage policy. Due to this, 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles will be scrapped. Now, due to this rule, the lifespan of diesel cars has been severely reduced. So this begs the question: does it even make sense to buy a diesel car anymore in India?

Himachal Pradesh’s Announcement

As mentioned, recently Himachal Pradesh announced a new scrappage policy. With this initiative, it aims to remove 15-year-old vehicles from its roads. Following the footsteps of Delhi-NCR, the state plans to set up 12 scrapping centers, one in each district, starting in October this year.

This initiative, supported by the transport department, according to the government, aims to enhance environmental standards by scrapping older and more polluting vehicles. However, the policy comes with significant restrictions, unlike previous practices where parts from scrapped vehicles could be reused.

Himachal Pradesh’s new rules prohibit the reuse of any components. This rule has been justified by stating that this comprehensive approach is intended to ensure that no old or potentially hazardous parts re-enter the market. So, thereby, it will help in maintaining high safety and environmental standards.

Spread of the Old Car Ban

The vehicle scrappage movement is not confined to Himachal Pradesh. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has mandated that all government-owned vehicles older than 15 years must be scrapped. This directive is also being adopted by state governments across India as well.

This nationwide push aligns with the broader scrappage policy introduced in February 2021. This policy seeks to phase out old, polluting vehicles in favor of newer, more efficient models.

Now, this particular rule poses a threat to all diesel car owners and those who are planning to buy diesel cars. In regions like Delhi-NCR, the lifespan of diesel cars is already limited to 10 years, compared to 15 years for petrol vehicles.

So, as more states adopt similar policies, diesel cars could face a uniformly reduced lifespan of just 10 years nationwide. This will create an unfair scenario for diesel car owners who have paid road tax for 15 years. This ruling only forces them to scrap their vehicles after a decade, which many people have already raised their voices against.

Economic Impacts of Diesel Ban

Due to the 10-year limit on diesel cars, there will be far-reaching economic implications. Many owners of diesel vehicles, who typically benefit from the fuel’s cost efficiency and better mileage, will now face higher costs due to the shortened lifespan and increased frequency of vehicle replacements.

This could lead to a decline in the purchase of diesel cars. It will further cause a rise in the costs of maintaining older vehicles. Recent hikes in fitness test fees, from Rs. 600 to Rs. 5,000 for 15-year-old cars, have already displayed this rise.

Environmentally, the scrappage policy aims to reduce pollution and decrease dependence on imported raw materials like copper, steel, aluminum, rubber, and plastic. By promoting the recycling of old vehicles, the government hopes to foster a cleaner environment and support the automotive industry’s transition to greener technologies.

Future of Diesel Cars

Also, major manufacturers like Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai have already scaled back or ceased production of diesel models. They are currently anticipating stricter regulations and shifting consumer preferences. Additionally, the potential nationwide adoption of a 10-year limit for diesel cars could render these vehicles virtually obsolete within the next decade.

States currently allowing diesel cars a 15-year lifespan may soon follow Delhi-NCR’s lead. This will further reduce the operational period for diesel vehicles. This is why the majority of diesel car buyers are now very skeptical of buying a new diesel car.

Should You Buy a Diesel Car in 2024?

This brings us to the main question: should you buy a diesel car in 2024 or not? Well, the answer to this is not a simple one. We say this because each car buyer is different and they have different needs. So, if you are okay with spending the amount and having a vehicle that you may not be able to use after 10 years, then you can go ahead and buy one.

However, most car buyers cannot afford this luxury of scrapping just a 10-year-old car. So, we would suggest you opt for a petrol vehicle. As for this scrappage policy, many people have raised their voices against it. However, the government is not listening to any of those cries and it is fixated on removing these cars from the country.