Will South African truck drivers miss the smell of diesel?

When the last diesel engine finally disappears from South Africa’s highways, will anyone miss the smell? CHARLEEN CLARKE reports on a potential solution to this dilemma…

Electric trucks are on the horizon. They’ll be cleaner, quieter, and cheaper to run, but they’ll also be missing something that’s been part of road transport since the start: the smell and sound of combustion.

It may sound strange, but in Finland, Kia has already tried to deal with this sense of loss. To help new electric-car owners adjust, the company’s importer, Astara Auto Finland, has created a petrol-scented air freshener for buyers of the new Kia EV4. The fragrance, designed by Finnish perfumier Max Perttula, mixes heavy motor-oil notes with a touch of jasmine – yes, jasmine – to recreate the feel of a petrol workshop. True story.

So, could we see something similar for truck drivers in future – maybe a “Diesel Dawn” air freshener for the cab? It sounds funny, but there’s a serious question behind it. Diesel isn’t just a fuel. It’s part of a culture. The smell, the vibration, and the sound all tell a driver what’s happening under the bonnet.

When that disappears, driving will feel different. Some drivers will love it – no more fumes, no more ringing ears. Others might find the silence unsettling. For years, the sound of an idling engine, a smooth gear change, or a turbo spooling up has told drivers their truck was running right. Take away that noise and feedback, and some instincts may need retraining.

Manufacturers are already thinking about it. Volvo, Scania, and others are testing artificial engine sounds for their electric trucks. The idea isn’t just to warn pedestrians, but to give drivers something familiar inside the cab. It might seem a bit gimmicky – a fake V8 soundtrack through the speakers – but perhaps it’s not such a bad idea. For many, the sound of an engine is as much a part of the job as the steering wheel.

Of course, electric trucks bring real advantages. They deliver instant torque, require less maintenance, and save on running costs. And let’s be honest – coming home without smelling like a fuel pump won’t be missed by everyone. But for a generation of drivers who’ve spent their working lives surrounded by diesel engines, the silence of the future might take some getting used to.

So yes, some will miss the smell and the noise. Not because they’re pleasant, but because they’ve always been there. Diesel represents long nights on the N3, breakdowns in the rain, and engines that never gave up. It’s part of the identity of trucking – and part of what gave it grit.

Electric trucks will eventually build their own identity. They’ll be faster, quieter, and more high-tech. But whether they can ever match the raw character of a diesel remains to be seen. Until then, maybe there’s room for a new kind of accessory: a small diffuser labelled “Diesel Memories” – for drivers who still like to remember the old smell of work.