Diesel sales are set to plunge further as a result of environmental pressures and consumer confusion automotive expert Professor David Bailey has warned.

Speaking to the BBC today, Prof Bailey (pictured), from Aston University, said diesel will account for just 15% of the UK car market by 2025, down from a peak of 50%.

In the light of what he calls diesel’s “slow death”, he is urging the Government to set up a scrappage scheme to encourage drivers to switch to electric cars.

"The time is right for the government to take the initiative and offer up scrappage benefits to those who are prepared to ditch their diesels and switch to electric cars," he said.

Full-year 2017 figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed sales of new diesel cars fell 17.1% last year.

Prof Bailey expects a further 10% drop in sales this year and says diesel will account for less than a third of the market by 2020.

> Diesel's performance in the 2017 market and SMMT reaction to 5.7% market decline