Diesel Cars

[dossier]

I understand there is no government tax on Diesel Euro V fuel, compared to sales of unleaded petrol. Is it therefore possible / common practice to buy a Diesel private car, and potentially better value?

In the UK, Diesel is taxed such that it costs more per litre than Unleaded petrol.

Thanks

[wtbhotia]

the same make and model vehicle cost price, Diesel model is always more expensive, only in the past few years has private cars started to have diesel models in HK, most consumers still buy petrol version in HK.

my neighbour has a bmw diesel, can hear him start his car, sounds like a tractor LOL

BMW Hong Kong - BMW Diesel Series

[imparanoic]

the same make and model vehicle cost price, Diesel model is always more expensive, only in the past few years has private cars started to have diesel models in HK, most consumers still buy petrol version in HK.

my neighbour has a bmw diesel, can hear him start his car, sounds like a tractor LOL

BMW Hong Kong - BMW Diesel Series

it's noted that generally diesel car engine need to bigger displacement due to nature of the fuel ( denser liquid, harder to ignite, requires compression and heat unlike petrol), thus, potentially, the saving may be less than you think, especially if an 1.5 petrol ( let's say 115bhp) engine, the diesel variant may in the region of 2litre ish, thus, road tax will be higher, if you don't drive enough miles

on the other hand, if you drive a lot, there could be some savings

[mrdollars]

There's such a limited range of diesel private cars here not much choice at all. I would love one!

[mrgoodkat]

Unless the Diesel car is Euro 6, it can only be licensed as a goods vehicle. HKSAR govt has strict criteria for private diesel cars to avoid everybody filling up with cheap diesel instead of the heavily taxed petrol. Almost no dealer is offering diesel private cars.


Edit: Get a LGV drivers license. Costs less than 5k HKD and you'll save on first registration tax (LGV: 17%, private car: up to 115%) and annual road license fee.

[jmbf]

Almost no dealer is offering diesel private cars.

Choice is indeed limited but it is slowly getting better. Diesel models are now available from BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Land Rover and Mazda (and there are probably others as well).

[dossier]

Unless the Diesel car is Euro 6, it can only be licensed as a goods vehicle. HKSAR govt has strict criteria for private diesel cars to avoid everybody filling up with cheap diesel instead of the heavily taxed petrol. Almost no dealer is offering diesel private cars.


Edit: Get a LGV drivers license. Costs less than 5k HKD and you'll save on first registration tax (LGV: 17%, private car: up to 115%) and annual road license fee.

Thanks. I fear I am missing a trick here: I did a UK to HK driving licence conversion (without a test) but the transfer of category entitlements does not give me Class 2 (Light Goods Vehicle) as the maximum weight limit is different in the UK.

How does the LGV advantage work?

[dossier]

Are there any plans that the (zero) tax benefit of Euro V diesel sales in HK could change?

I recall a time when the UK taxed diesel less than petrol, but that was slowly eroded such that in the UK unleaded is now cheaper than diesel in general.

[dossier]

Is there any reason that given the climate in HK, it is better to have a petrol vs. diesel car? (i.e. extreme summer heat)?

[flameproof]

my neighbour has a bmw diesel, can hear him start his car, sounds like a tractor LOL

But diesel cars have an amazing torque at low rpm.

I didn't know BMW had one in HK, so far just saw Audi Q7 (or a similar ugly Audi model). I would be interested in something small, Golf, Civic or similar.

Diesel costs what? Around $12/L or so?. Mhm, maybe diesel drivers should check the cooking oil prices when buying in bulk. Canola oil and biodiesel are pretty much the same thing. So if your car can handle biodiesel (not all can) then you can buy your fuel in the supermarket. Or import it in 200L cans....

Is there any reason that given the climate in HK, it is better to have a petrol vs. diesel car? (i.e. extreme summer heat)?

Petrol is better in winter. Because the diesel engines are much more efficient - means they generate less heat, means it takes longer for the heating to warm up. Other thing, when the temp goes below -25°C you need either 'winterdiesel', or add petrol to your tank. But I doubt that that's are huge issues in Hong Kong.