It follows what the SMMT said was 'widespread confusion' about diesel technology that risks limiting the adoption of the latest low emission vehicles and undermining the UK's efforts to meet strict air quality and climate change obligations.

From 1 September 2015, all new cars must meet the new Euro 6 standard, setting strict limits for harmful exhaust emissions. Yet a recent YouGov poll showed 87% of UK adults were unaware of the technology, while 54% blamed cars and commercial vehicles as the biggest cause of air pollution in the UK. 

Just under one in five (19%) identified power stations as the biggest contributors of nitrogen oxides (NOx). In fact, it would take 42 million Euro 6 diesel cars - almost four times the number on the roads - to generate the same amount of NOx as one UK coal-fired power station, the SMMT said.   

The SMMT, with some of the biggest car makers, including BMW UK, Ford of Britain, Jaguar Land Rover and Volkswagen, is calling for policy makers to adopt a consistent technology-neutral approach towards vehicle incentives and penalties to encourage the uptake of the latest technologies and maximise the benefits for air quality.  

A Diesel Facts myth-busting guide will be available at dieselfacts.co.uk and in leaflet form via car makers and dealers.   

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: "We need to avoid penalising one vehicle technology over another and instead encourage the uptake of the latest low emission vehicles by consumers.The allegations against diesel cars made in recent months threaten to misguide policy making and undermine public confidence in diesel. It’s time to put the record straight.