Is Diesel the Alternative Fuel Option For You?

With oil costs shattering records and gasoline prices causing concerns nationwide, savvy American consumers are increasingly turning to diesel-powered vehicles as a fuel-sipping alternative to gasoline, according to new research released by the Diesel Technology Forum (DTF). The driving force behind this leap is that diesel engines are 20 to 40 percent more fuel-efficient than comparable gasoline-powered engines without requiring a sacrifice in power or performance.

Data compiled by marketing company R.L. Polk show that registration of diesel passenger vehicles in the U.S. — including cars, trucks and SUVs — has grown a remarkable 80 percent since 2000, up from 301,000 diesel vehicles that year to 543,777 diesel registrations in 2005.

For the all-important light-duty market, diesel registrations nearly doubled (95 percent growth) from 2000 to 2005. When given a choice between a gasoline or diesel engine, shoppers purchased the diesel engine option almost half the time.

"Gasoline hybrid's and flexible-fueled ethanol vehicles aren't the only fuel efficient choices consumers have today," said Allen Schaeffer, DTF's executive director.

Most analysts expect the diesel trend to continue due in part to rising fuel prices and the obvious desire to improve vehicle efficiency. In fact, researchers at J.D. Power and Associates predict that diesel sales will approximately triple in the next 10 years, accounting for more than 10 percent of U.S. vehicle sales by 2015 — up from 3.6 percent in 2005.

In late April, President Bush proposed extending federal tax credits for the purchase of diesel vehicles. In a speech to the Renewable Fuels Association he said that part of a good plan "to confront high gasoline prices is to promote greater fuel efficiency. Here's an idea that can get more of these vehicles on the road, and that is to have Congress make all hybrid and clean diesel vehicles sold this year eligible for federal tax credits."

With such incentives, it's no surprise that clean diesel's are gaining so much momentum.

Consider the facts:

• Diesel vehicles are fuel efficient, typically getting 20 to 40 percent more miles to the gallon than a comparable gasoline car. The federal government's 2005 Fuel Economy Guide shows that four of the top 10 most fuel-efficient vehicles are diesel powered.

• Diesel could help reduce America's addiction to oil. According to officials at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, America could save up to 1.4 million barrels of oil per day (an amount equivalent to the oil we currently import from Saudi Arabia) if one-third of U.S. cars, pickups and SUVs were diesel-powered.

• Diesels provide both power and performance, an important feature for those drivers who want to save at the pump without sacrificing their driving experience.

• Diesel drivers have the option of filling their tanks with blends of
  biodiesel like B2 and B5 - domestically produced, renewable fuel that reduces U.S. oil dependence, as well as air polution and greenhouse effect.

  "These cars are clean, quiet and very performance oriented - while delivering 20 to 40 percent better real-world fuel economy than their gasoline counterparts," Schaeffer said.

  To view a list of diesel vehicles currently available in the U.S., click here.

  (Source: DieselForum)