COMPANY car drivers at one of Britain's biggest pharmaceutical companies have sparked a massive swing into diesel vehicles to keep their company car tax bills down. Demand for diesels at Janssen-Cilag has rocketed, with the 600 car user-chooser fleet jumping from 4% diesel 18 months ago to 30% this year after drivers were offered an incentive to move to diesel.

Drivers are moving to low emission cars in preparation for the carbon dioxide-based company car tax regime being launched from next year. Diesel engines produce much lower CO2 emissions than their petrol equivalents and will incur lower benefit-in-kind tax under the new regime, introduced in 11 months' time. They beat petrol rivals despite the Government imposing a 3% penalty on non-Euro IV compliant diesel engines.

Sheila Elsby, car fleet manager for the Janssen-Cilag fleet said: 'We are offering drivers a cash incentive of a £15 increase in their car allowance if they choose a diesel. There are benefits for both sides from using diesel. Drivers have a more tax efficient car and we save on the cost of fuel and VAT.'

Meanwhile Delphi Diesel has produced a booklet about the benefits of moving to diesel. 'Green About Diesel' comments that the US Environment Protection Agency has described diesel as a 'tremendous opportunity for combating global warming'. It also claims that emissions of oxides of nitrogen, which can cause breathing illnesses and are claimed to be the Achilles' heel of diesels, are actually lower than petrol over the whole life of the vehicle. Copies of the free booklet are available by calling 01295 277050.