GJ Hagenaars comments

Diesel vehicles last much much longer than gasoline vehicles, which means that, over the usable lifetime, they require far less resources to make, which is good for the environment, but brings in less tax revenue on new cars.

Diesel engines also use far less fuel for the same distance travelled, making them cheaper to run, but this brings in less tax revenue.

What makes good sense in using fewer raw resources to make a vehicle and using less fuel to use it is good for the environment and good to keep cost down. But not good because governments want more money.

This is also why governments want to push electric vehicles so much. Once everyone is moved over, the only way to "fuel up" is by using government controlled electricity generators.