Diesels in the News

gagrice

Comparably sized modern diesel and gas engines each have pros and cons. The diesel engine does not put out as much carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide. The diesel does put out more NOx (nitrogen oxide) & PM.

Two parameters go into what causes emissions. The fuel is important. Unleaded gas is cleaner burning than #2 diesel currently available in most of the US. The government sets the standards and automakers try to bring their vehicles into compliance using the fuel available. Many feel that with the ULSD mandated for this year, modern diesel engines will provide a better solution to the energy probem than any gas engine. The EU is actively attacking greenhouse gas CO2. That is the reason that 50% of all autos sold in the EU are diesel. Clearly diesel offers more bang for the buck with good emissions characteristics.

Those striving for cars that have exhaust cleaner than the air it takes in, will argue against diesel. That does not change the facts. If you live where biodiesel is available you can drive with CO2 neutral fuel. Biodiesel also has very low HC, PM and virtually no sulfur oxides.

bhill2

I thank you and John for your answers. I have an agenda here. Living in California, I am denied almost all access to diesels, and am likely to continue to be, because they have trouble meeting CA's increasingly stringent emission standards. This has led to the perception, and sometimes expressed statements, that diesels are 'dirtier' than gasoline engines (eewww, gross!) I would like to be able to (correctly) say that diesels and gassers represent an emissions trade-off. Noting that they emit less CO2 is certainly a good start, but it is not obvious that the same effect cannot be achieved with hybrids, and still have the 'cleaner' emissions of a gasoline engine. If there is any evidence on the order of 'no gasoline engine currently on the road has as low emissions of CO as the currenly available (fill in the blank) diesel'. Any evidence would be welcome.

once_for_all

Glad you are promoting the idea. I am in Fresno area, and would dearly love to be driving a diesel (other than the HD pickups we have at work).

I think once we get the approved diesels here in CA they will sell themselves (more efficient, more power, as quiet or quieter, last longer, etc.). And at this point, there doesn't seem to be any manufacturers that will be content not having California in their diesel portfolio.

I look forward to this. I would like a mid-size pickup with a diesel engine, hopefully in 07 or 08.

John

bhill2

Make mine a comfortable and tastefully powerful sedan for touring and making passengers happy. Something like the E320CDI, but I want additional choices. And I plan to burn biodiesel; the hybrid crowd shouldn't have a monopoly on their holier-than-thou attitude.

moparbad

Jeep Liberty CRD sold 2X expectations!

Diesel Delight

once_for_all

wow what surprises me is the lousy math. Can't trust reporters with numbers these days. I get about 6%, not 0.6%. Oh well, a decimal here or there no biggie, right?

John

rs_petty

http://www.dieselforecast.com/ArticleDetails.php?articleID=269

I've heard nothing but good from these new Ford engines. Wish I had one in my drive right now.

ratbert

I recently read about a new diesel VW for Europe. Actually it's a revision to their Polo. They have claimed that is beats the Prius in all emissions and fuel consumption. I wish I remember where I saw that, but I'm not making it up.

microrepair

For an interesting story on frying fat conversion dieseling, go to this website at Tufts Univ. and download the movie entitled "From the Fryer to the Freeway". This was produced by a small group of students at my alma mater and they won 3rd prize in a national competition among college students. It takes a while to download so be patient. It also contains some interesting commentary from two professors from other universities.

http://uccps.tufts.edu/mps/f05docs.html

once_for_all

Diesel is now cheaper than regular in central California. All gasoline prices are $3+, diesel is under $3.

John

jimlockey

Diesel prices should be cheaper tha gasoline. It takes less refining.

Don't let congress and the oil companies tell you that diesel is higher because of the sulfur extraction. Not true. The sulfur is being extracted form the incoming crude. Sulfur is in gasoline too.

once_for_all

yep, (past) pricing on diesel vs gasoline is not reflective of the refining costs. Hopefully the world has been set right, as I really want to see these more efficient light duty diesel engines everywhere in the US.

John

gljvd

Jeep Liberty CRD sold 2X expectations!

Diesel Delight

and yet no plans on a diesel patriot which i would buy in a minute (since that is in my price range and it looks better than the liberty)

moparbad

Ordering for 2006 Liberty CRD is now closed. There are no indications that the CRD will be available in 2007.

bhill2

Did anyone hear his speech on the solutions to high energy prices and energy dependance? I almost fell off my chair when he mentioned 'clean diesels' along with hybrids. There might be light at the end of the tunnel (well, not here in California, the California Air Resources Board blocked the tunnel.)

houdini1

Yes, I picked up on that also. Surprised me too.

once_for_all

Pres. Bush mentioned clean diesel agenda about a year ago. I believe part of the current interest stems from his energy policy as President.

John

jkinzel

Consider the source, after all, he is a politician. I want to hear it from the presidents of Ford and GM, then I’ll take notice.

BTW Gary, home was better. Im tired of sleeping with diesel engines, I just want one in my car.

once_for_all

I doubt that GM/Ford have the wherewithal (currently) to push this.

Instead, I expect the Euros and Japanese makes to dominate intitially. Ford and GM will stick with their V-8's and HD pickups. We might get some action via Chrysler with Mercedes engines. We may see some European Ford made light duty diesels coming in via Mazda.

I am just not big on the US automakers right now. Too many problems and too little cash. They will probably miss 2007 and 2008 diesel introductions.

John

gagrice

BTW Gary, home was better.

Hope you get home soon. We are in TX touring the Hill Country in our MB Cruiser. Still averaging 22 MPG. Diesel is cheaper here than anywhere we drove. Filled last night for $2.67 per gallon. Gas is about $2.85 most stations.

rs_petty

Unfortunately, when you read the transcript it really makes the Pres look like he is stuck on stupid. There are no clean diesel models that meet the requirements for the tax break a la hybrids. That is what has me PO'd. You would think that easing the EPA rules to Euro standards for a couple years and allow Ford & GM to bring at least 1 diesel model in each size category would really be a boon to the conservation policy. If I go from a 15 MPG model to a 40 MPG model I'd save almost 600 gallons of fuel each year. If Ford & GM sold 100,000 units that is 60 million gallons of fuel. Does he not see this?

once_for_all

part of the problem is that the low-sulfur fuel is not here yet. No car will meet that standard until you can buy the fuel. The expectations I believe are that the fuel will be here later this year.

John

scooterdiesel

So what models will we have with diesel within one year from today? I know we have MB and VW - but I dont want to buy an obsolete TDI when they are switching to CRD and I can't afford MB. Will I be able to get a hatchback or a pickup in a year with a diesel engine? My 15-year-old Econoline is getting very tempermental. If anyone knows what models will be available with diesel engine, I would greatly appreciate it.

qbrozen

heck of a good question. I've been wondering this very same thing. Unfortunately, I have no answers yet. I went to the auto show this year with the hopes of seeing lots of diesels ... but no.

rs_petty

I've been watching the EIA site for production of 15ppm diesel for the last several months. It is slowly increasing. Unfortunately I think some of that "boutique gas" discussion will probably wind up delaying ULSD again.

smpool

I've read on some of the other discussion boards like VW that the diesel models will be absent from their lineup for a year or so. They must be fine tuning their new diesel engines or waiting on the new low sulfur fuel. I've heard Honda is still working on their new diesel engines, but they are still a few years away from introduction in the US.

moparbad

Diesel use to triple in the US.
Diesel Use X3

elias

scooterdiesel, you like vans? how about the gmc/chevy duramax diesel savana van, with stability control too. it's available now.

moparbad

Diesels we want but cant get

Interesting Businessweek article.

rockylee

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060503/BUSINESS01/605030360/10- 14

Maybe we'll see Diesel Pressure finally, eh ?

Rocky

jimlockey

Rocky I'm with you. I have a 05 Passat TDI and a 2000 Ford 350 diesel single wheel, but I think both can do better. The truck is for pulling a 5th wheel, but we have been using the car and staying in motels for the past two years.It makes more sense to average 35 MPG in the car.

Jimmy

coontie57

My wife's sister moved to NZ about 15 months ago... and went right out and bought a diesel SUV... Unfortunately at the moment I can't remember the make... go to Nissan and Toyota and Isuzu.... its listed in their websites. and it says not available in the USA.. I believe it was an Isuzu... and since Isuzu makes/cooperates with GM its probably that company.

rs_petty

Yippee! DC comes through with the Grand Cherokee Diesel for 2007. http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060601/AUTO01/606010346/1148-

kcflyer

Great to see another diesel vehicle soon to be hitting showroom floors. However, how can Chrysler advertise this as the first full size SUV with a diesel. Anybody ever hear of the suburban or excursion? Both have offered diesel options. :confuse:

gagrice

Is CARB diesel required to meet the Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) requirement?

Beginning June 1, 2006, all diesel fuel produced and sold for vehicular use in California must meet a 15 ppm maximum sulfur limit, in addition to meeting all of the current low aromatics CARB diesel specifications. The definition of "vehicular use" in California includes on-highway vehicles and non-road vehicles (e.g. agriculture and construction equipment). Locomotive and marine vehicles are not included in the definition of vehicular use.

Diesel FAQ

bhill2

Yippee indeed for most states, but as so many times before, those of us in the Golden State have been Californicated out of this option.

gagrice

Well if Ahnold wants us to give up our gas guzzlers he better push those legislators into action. Give us diesel sippers and we will give up our gas guzzlers.

reddroverr

"Kyodo) _ Mitsubishi Motors Corp. plans to release motor vehicles powered by a proprietary high-performance, environmentally friendly diesel engine in Japan and the United States in 2009, company officials said Thursday."

"Among other Japanese automakers, Honda Motor Co. plans to put a diesel engine-powered passenger car on the Japanese and U.S. markets in 2009."

http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060608/kyodo/d8i41t706.html

reddroverr

"Diesel fuel can cost more than gasoline - about 9 cents a gallon right now, says AAA - but diesel gets 20% to 40% better fuel efficiency, meaning you go farther on a gallon."

"Chrysler Group said Monday that it will quit selling the diesel version of Jeep Liberty's small SUV in the USA because its engine doesn't meet the new standards. However, Chrysler will sell a diesel version of the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee full-size SUV with a Mercedes engine.

Ford is considering a diesel hybrid engine, and BMW is considering bringing a diesel version of its 330 sedan to the USA.

The downside? Even though the technology is better, diesels are still louder than traditional gas engines."

I can't wait to get some decent clean diesels here.

elias

yet another reason i prefer diesels!

Karen_S

A large local newspaper is looking to interview consumers who are not interested in purchasing a diesel at all and would like to talk about why. Please send an e-mail to ctalati@edmunds.com no later than Thursday June 22, 2006 by 2:00 PM PST/5:00 EST containing your daytime contact information and the car your currently drive instead of a diesel.

Thanks,
Chintan Talati
Corporate Communications
Edmunds.com

Karen_S

A large local newspaper is looking to interview consumers who recently purchased a diesel vehicle and would like to talk about their car. Please send an e-mail to ctalati@edmunds.com no later than Thursday June 22, 2006 by 2:00 PM PST/5:00 EST containing your daytime contact information and the make and model of your car.

Thanks,
Chintan Talati
Corporate Communications
Edmunds.com

easy2t2

and now, they win race...
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=115800

bhill2

OK, get ready for the complaints and lobbying from Audi's competitors that the restrictions on the diesel have to be tightened in order to make them comparable to the restrictions on the gasoline engines. If history is any guide, they will be successful, the diesel will be restricted until it can no longer be competitive, and things will go back to the way they were.

dhanley

I wouldn't be so sure, unless the race has some vested interest in petrol engines winning. For example, porsche has declared they will never do diesel, and they are a draw.

Karen_S

A large daily newspaper is looking to interview consumers who are not in favor of diesel vehicles. Please send an e-mail to ctalati@edmunds.com no later than Friday, June 23, 2006 by 2:00 PM PST/5:00 EST containing your daytime contact information.


Thanks,
Chintan Talati
Corporate Communications
Edmunds.com

moparbad

Honda Diesel Patent

Go Honda!

Honda Motor Co., aiming to build the first diesel car that meets pollution rules across the U.S., patented a new method to curb smog-forming gases.

The tailpipe emission of nitrous oxides has clouded diesel's appeal in the U.S., the world's biggest auto market. Honda is betting that the new technology will win customers attracted by the greater fuel economy and faster acceleration of diesel cars.

In Honda's treatment system, exhaust flows through a plasma reactor, or gaseous layer of electrically charged atoms, according to a U.S. patent obtained by Bloomberg News. That separates out harmful nitrogen oxides and forms nitrogen dioxide that's then reduced or absorbed by alkali metals and silver.

``If they can get it out there, it's an engineering tour- de-force,'' said Robert Weber, who analyzes exhaust systems for Tiax LLC, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based consulting firm.

moparbad

30% of Honda's Could Be Powered By Diesel

Diesel engines could power as many as 30 percent of Honda Motor Co.'s vehicles in both the United States and Japan, a senior company official said.

mxdim2001

Dewey,

Do you by any chance know if it is possible to purchase an BMW X5 Diesel from the US?

Thank you in advance

Max

gagrice

It has been a while since diesel was cheaper than gas. Right today the cheapest gas in San Diego is $3.17. You can get BP/ARCO ULSD for $3.02. This is a station near me. They also are selling ULSD