Fuel types: the pros and cons

Diesel

For: Diesel engines are around 30 per cent more efficient than petrol, which means you will spend less on fuel. Per litre diesel creates more CO2 emissions than petrol, but because you use less diesel than petrol it contributes less to global warming. Low sulfur diesel and modern particulate filters have made diesel cleaner in recent years.

Against: The Australian Greenhouse Office says diesel engines are a major source of particle matter emissions. They emit 20 times the particle matter of petrol engines. Particle matter has been linked to cancer and respiratory disease. Diesel is a petroleum product and has many of the same drawbacks as petrol. Diesel fuel is often more expensive than petrol and diesel cars are more expensive than their petrol equivalents.