Swedish car manufacturer Volvo is pressing for diesel cars to be seen in a new light.

Volvo claims that diesel run cars are being discriminated against both by governments and the public due to out-of-date and misinformed opinion.

The firm says that their diesel cars run almost a third more efficiently than the equivalent petrol versions and is calling for legislative changes to facilitate what they believe is a sound environmental option.

In Volvo’s homeland, the tax on diesel fuel is currently four times that of its petrol counterparts, despite releasing 20 per cent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

With the introduction of particulate filters on their 2005 models, Volvo has alleviated some of the environmental concerns connected with diesels and Anders Eugensson, director of Volvo is hopeful that the Swedish government are beginning to see the benefits of diesel cars.

Mr Eugensson told Auto Spectator: "In recent times we have detected a change in attitudes."

A recent study by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy claimed that diesel and hybrids were among the most fuel-efficient models available in 2006.

Volkswagen diesel cars proved their environmental worth, with the company's Beetle, Golf and Jetta models in the top ten most efficient cars.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd