About 80 million clean diesel vehicles will be sold globally from 2012 to 2018, according to a report from Pike Research, a part of Navigant's Energy Practice.
The report found that sales of clean diesel vehicles, including light-duty vehicles and medium-duty trucks, will increase to 13 million in 2018 from 10 million in 2012.
Pike Research senior research analyst Lisa Jerram said that makers of diesel vehicles have had two primary barriers to overcome, particularly in the US: the price premium, which can be from $1,000 to $3,000 more than gasoline vehicles, and the perception that diesels are dirtier than gasoline cars.
"New clean diesel models are helping automakers overcome those characteristics and are being rewarded with a more positive impression among car buyers," Jerram said.
According to the report, diesel cars have been selling well in Europe, where high fuel prices mean that the price premium of a diesel car can be paid off quickly.
Other regions that include North America, are now beginning to open up due to tough emissions regulations in Japan, North America and Europe speed up the increased of 'clean diesel' vehicles.
The report found that since many markets including Australia, South Korea, the EU, Canada, the US, Turkey, Japan and New Zealand require ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD), these countries will be the primary markets for clean diesel vehicles.
Other countries like India, that are major diesel vehicle markets will not see clean diesel options until more stringent fuel and vehicle emissions regulations are in place, according to the report.
