Sales of used diesel motors fell in September, according to several auto industry reports.

And average UK diesel pump prices reached £2 per litre for the first time on Friday, according to motoring group the RAC.

Petrol car sales also dropped last month, while sales of hybrids and battery electric vehicles increased.

Tim Holden, chairman of Holden Group, one of the region’s largest car dealerships, said with fuel prices on the rise the industry is reaching a “tipping point” where more drivers are converting to electric vehicles.

Tim Holden, chairman of Holden Group (Image: Holden)

“The conditions are increasingly in place for electrified vehicles to become the norm for UK households rather than the alternative,” he said.

“Throughout 2026, we’ve seen a continued rise in demand and interest for electric vehicles, accelerated by wider global events.

“Diesel now accounts for only around 5pc of our group’s used-car stock, although there remains a place for it in the market. By contrast, around 70pc of the used cars we sell are now either fully electric or some form of........

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