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More Diesels on the Roads in the US by 2014

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Started 6 months ago by Walker
Latest reply from Twixlen

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Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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We'll see a "lot more diesels" in U.S. by 2014
By Eric Loveday
Posted Oct 23rd 2011 8:43AM

As the number of automakers selling diesel vehicles rise, the amount of motorists buying the oil-burning machines will increase, too, claims Jeff Breneman, executive director of the U.S. Coalition for Advanced Diesel Cars. That statement seems to be simple common sense, right? Well, not so much in recent times here in the U.S.

Automakers selling diesel vehicles in the U.S. have seen demand slowly rise but, Breneman claims, it's the 2025 54.5 mpg CAFE standard that will truly fuel demand for diesels here in the States. Breneman says Mazda and Chevrolet are two of the next automakers that will offer diesel sedans in the U.S., with more to come:

READ MORE: http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/23/well-see-a-lot-more-diesels-in-u-s-by-2014/

Posted 6 months ago #
Analogue Kid
5th by West-Northwest
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But will the diesel's rise be a step in the right direction? Well, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently awarded $50 million for diesel projects designed to reduce harmful emissions, but diesel engines still emit 7.3 million tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 333,000 tons of soot annually. And diesel pollution is linked to thousands of premature deaths, asthma attacks and lost work days. So, it's unclear whether or not the diesels rise to fame will be as beneficial as thought.

Poorly researched article is poorly researched. Beginning in 2007, all diesel powered on-road vehicles are required to meet very strict standards for PM and NOx. Any new additions to the country's fleet will not cause increased emissions over gasoline powered cars.

The author was confounded by the fact that many diesel powered vehicles from the 1980s and 1990s are still on the road, and DO emit higher levels of pollutants. Because diesels generally have no trouble going 500,000 miles without a rebuild, they are likely to be on the road for a while longer. Thus, the diesel emission reduction grants are targeted at these vehicles so they can be replaced or have a new engine or exhaust aftertreatment system installed.

Posted 6 months ago #
CalebR
Lincoln Village
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I laughed when I saw this. Seeing as diesel costs more money than gas (unleaded) I don't think many people will change from gas to diesel by 2014.

Posted 6 months ago #
DavidF
Elysium Fields
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345,000 miles on my Jetta and she still gets 40mph to the gallon on the original engine. I would love to have an affordable way to make it run more cleanly.

Posted 6 months ago #
neekap
Far east side
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CalebR said:
I laughed when I saw this. Seeing as diesel costs more money than gas (unleaded) I don't think many people will change from gas to diesel by 2014.

As a recent diesel convert, I can tell you that while the cost per gallon of diesel is sometimes significantly higher than gasoline, the cost per mile is a lot lower, even with a lot of rush hour and city driving. Fuel-ups are more money out of my pocket but I'm doing them a lot less frequently.

Posted 6 months ago #
Analogue Kid
5th by West-Northwest
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CalebR said:
I laughed when I saw this. Seeing as diesel costs more money than gas (unleaded) I don't think many people will change from gas to diesel by 2014.

Did you miss the part about 30% greater fuel economy? Even with our current spread, you're still 8% ahead, and that difference is likely to come down in the next few years.

Posted 6 months ago #
anillo
Marzipan City
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Get the Video Player

Posted 6 months ago #
M.O.
Columbus
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CalebR said:
I laughed when I saw this. Seeing as diesel costs more money than gas (unleaded) I don't think many people will change from gas to diesel by 2014.

+s: Lower running costs, engines that last forever, tons of torque ... 700 highway miles between fills. -s: Spotty fuel availability in some cities ... cold morning warm-ups.

VW & MB diesels are on my list over any hybrid.

Posted 6 months ago #
Twixlen
Westgate, Columbus
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The best part of the new diesel engines - besides the excellent fuel economy - is they don't lose performance. You still get a good sized car, instead of a teeny econobox, and get that lovely gas mileage.

I'm waiting for the affordability to improve - I seriously considered a VW TDI Sportwagon when I was looking, but it's a chunk of change.

Posted 6 months ago #
M.O.
Columbus
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Twixlen said:
The best part of the new diesel engines - besides the excellent fuel economy - is they don't lose performance. You still get a good sized car, instead of a teeny econobox, and get that lovely gas mileage.

I'm waiting for the affordability to improve - I seriously considered a VW TDI Sportwagon when I was looking, but it's a chunk of change.

Two 2011 TDI Sportwagens sitting over at MAG in Dublin last I checked. Somebody might make you a deal.

Posted 6 months ago #
Twixlen
Westgate, Columbus
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M.O. said:
Two 2011 TDI Sportwagens sitting over at MAG in Dublin last I checked. Somebody might make you a deal.

Tempting! But I'm committed to my Toaster at this point. I was foolishly looking at them when there was a gov't incentive AND they were quite new AND when gas & diesel were neck & neck. It was almost impossible to find one to even test drive.

Posted 6 months ago #