I have been hearing and reading about vehicles powered by diesel engines in the future. I have a diesel truck and like it just fine, but don't like the greasy pumps where I buy fuel. It also seems like a diesel has to have more expensive maintance than a gas engine. It also takes more crude oil to make diesel than gas. So I am not so sure about this.
Tom

Thought it was the other way around, takes more oil to make gas than diesel?

Not from what I hear. I have heard that it takes more of the crude to make a gallon of diesel than gas.

IMHO, diesels will be around for a long time as they are the only suitable engine in large vehicles and applications that require massive amounts of power.

I read an article in either Car and Driver or MotorTrend detailing how Volkswagen is betting their future on very clean, highly fuel efficient diesels. Apparently, they already have these in Europe and plan to introduce them on a larger scale in the US in 09-10.

My BIL had a Jetta TDI diesel a few years ago. It was a sweet little car and got 40 mpg. He got rid of it because it was 'too small.' Now he wishes he had it.

I'd bet on diesels in the future. Europe is doing it now. Also, the 8.1 liter engine used in the Workhorse motorhome chassis is only scheduled for production through 2010. After that, Workhorse will have to use either a smaller gas engine (which means smaller motorhomes - also very likely) or go to diesel. In fact, the Workhorse UFO chassis is specifically designed to accept either a gas OR diesel engine. I think there will also be more front engine diesels like the FRED.

Diesel fuel may require more crude to produce and may cost more than gasoline, but diesel engines get better fuel economy. Diesels may also cost more to maintain, but they can go farther between scheduled maintenance so the cost per mile isn't that much more than a gas engine.

From what I have read the diesel engines going to be 3 cylinder with a turbo. My truck get 18 mpg diving it everyday around here and if it had a gas engine it would be around 12 or less.

quote:

Originally posted by diandtom:
I have been hearing and reading about vehicles powered by diesel engines in the future. I have a diesel truck and like it just fine, but don't like the greasy pumps where I buy fuel. It also seems like a diesel has to have more expensive maintance than a gas engine. It also takes more crude oil to make diesel than gas. So I am not so sure about this.
Tom

Diesel is a by product of making gasoline. It use to be thought of as a waste product, and was sprayed on dirt roads in the country to keep down the dust.

Diesel refining

Here is how the refining proces works in very simple terms. Diesel is available much sooner in the refinig process and cost less to make.

Diesel engines are more efficient than gasoline engines.

ken

A few facts to remember about diesel that are reflected in its higher price:

1. Europe's demand for diesel has increased dramatically as over 50% of the vehicles sold there are diesel powered. In fact, the U.S. is trading diesel to Europe for gasoline for the U.S.

2. The industrialization of China, India and other developing economies drives diesel demand for construction equipment, truck and rail transportation, power generation, etc.

3. Ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD - 15 ppm sulfur) is more expensive to refine than the previously used diesel fuels.

4. Diesel fuel is more heavily taxed than gasoline in the U.S. on the premise that diesel-powered vehicles are heavier and generate more deterioration of roads and bridges.

Just some food for thought....

Rusty