Diesel Fuel vs Gasoline

[Jim O]

For some of us, hybrid cars are not a reality yet and we have to consider the pros and cons of using a diesel engine versus a gasoline engine. Gasoline engines are less costly upfront but more costly to operate. Diesel engines get greater torque so if towing is an issue, as it for many of us during our work hours, diesel becomes more attractive.

As far as greenhouse gas emissions go, a diesel engine puts out less per mile than does a gasoline engine, primarily because of its mileage superiority. Particulates are another matter however, and diesel engines expel far more of these than do gasoline engines. Even with advances in diesel technology that is not likely to change any time soon.

With the advent of biodiesel, less dependence on fossil fuels is a policy advantage for diesel engines, but that is a somewhat different issue.

In Europe almost 40% of new vehicles sold have diesel engines. The comparable figure for the US is far lower. I suspect that will change over time as the cost of fuel rises making diesel engines more economical for those who drive more miles per year.

Some excellent reads can be found on this subject. Please check out http://www.grinningplanet.com/2005/04-1 ... rticle.htm and http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_vehicles/fu ... lemma.html.

Discussion?

[netridge]

Diesel fuel seems attractive you need less of it to go longer distance and you need less chemicals in the refining process which would over a long term period cost us more and save more on pollution as new ways of using diesel could evolve to be cleaner.

[mountainhiker]

For some of us, hybrid cars are not a reality yet and we have to consider the pros and cons of using a diesel engine versus a gasoline engine. Gasoline engines are less costly upfront but more costly to operate. Diesel engines get greater torque so if towing is an issue, as it for many of us during our work hours, diesel becomes more attractive.

As far as greenhouse gas emissions go, a diesel engine puts out less per mile than does a gasoline engine, primarily because of its mileage superiority. Particulates are another matter however, and diesel engines expel far more of these than do gasoline engines. Even with advances in diesel technology that is not likely to change any time soon.

With the advent of biodiesel, less dependence on fossil fuels is a policy advantage for diesel engines, but that is a somewhat different issue.

In Europe almost 40% of new vehicles sold have diesel engines. The comparable figure for the US is far lower. I suspect that will change over time as the cost of fuel rises making diesel engines more economical for those who drive more miles per year.

Some excellent reads can be found on this subject. Please check out http://www.grinningplanet.com/2005/04-1 ... rticle.htm and http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_vehicles/fu ... lemma.html.

Discussion?

The trend is to look to a combination of diesel and gas/diesel/battery powered cars that use even less fuel. If some of the current research pays off, expect to see totally electric cars for commuters. Don't do much if you have to tow something, but for the mass that drives in to a office each day, big savings.

[online.education]

The trend is to look to a combination of diesel and gas/diesel/battery powered cars that use even less fuel. If some of the current research pays off, expect to see totally electric cars for commuters. Don't do much if you have to tow something, but for the mass that drives in to a office each day, big savings.

Did anyone here watch 'Who Killed the Electric Car?'?

[only_green_no_gray]

Did anyone here watch 'Who Killed the Electric Car?'?

No, is about what?

[online.education]

No, is about what?

Common consensus is that we always had gasoline powered cars and nothing else. Turned out that it's completely false. At the turn out of the 20th century, there were more electric cars than gasoline powered cars. There were even more steam powered cars. Both are much more environment friendly than gasoline cars.

We do not need to go back 100 years to find electric cars. They were sold in US in 90s and they were pretty popular; there was a pretty big solid fan base. You can learn the rest if you watch the documentary.

The whole point is that it's not like we don't have technologies available today. There are a number of reasons, or should I say 'political and social obstacles', that prevent us from driving cars not powered by gasoline.

[only_green_no_gray]

Common consensus is that we always had gasoline powered cars and nothing else. Turned out that it's completely false. At the turn out of the 20th century, there were more electric cars than gasoline powered cars. There were even more steam powered cars. Both are much more environment friendly than gasoline cars.

We do not need to go back 100 years to find electric cars. They were sold in US in 90s and they were pretty popular; there was a pretty big solid fan base. You can learn the rest if you watch the documentary.

The whole point is that it's not like we don't have technologies available today. There are a number of reasons, or should I say 'political and social obstacles', that prevent us from driving cars not powered by gasoline.

I will try to find it and watch it

[Simon]

I will try to find it and watch it

You can find a HD trailer of the documentary on iTunes. If you dont have iTunes you can always check out the official site: http://www.sonyclassics.com/whokilledtheelectriccar/

I haven't watched it, but yes, it looks like a really interesting documentary.

[only_green_no_gray]

You can find a HD trailer of the documentary on iTunes. If you dont have iTunes you can always check out the official site: http://www.sonyclassics.com/whokilledtheelectriccar/

I haven't watched it, but yes, it looks like a really interesting documentary.

I saw the trailer and it really seems to be a good documentary

[Simon]

No, is about what?

Common consensus is that we always had gasoline powered cars and nothing else. Turned out that it's completely false. At the turn out of the 20th century, there were more electric cars than gasoline powered cars. There were even more steam powered cars. Both are much more environment friendly than gasoline cars.

We do not need to go back 100 years to find electric cars. They were sold in US in 90s and they were pretty popular; there was a pretty big solid fan base. You can learn the rest if you watch the documentary.

The whole point is that it's not like we don't have technologies available today. There are a number of reasons, or should I say 'political and social obstacles', that prevent us from driving cars not powered by gasoline.

The problem with electric cars is that they aren't a "green" solution if you get an majority of your power from dirty coal, like the US currently does.

Putting electric cars on the streets would reduce pollution in cities, sure, but they would just increase a bigger energy demand for dirty energy sources like coal.

What we should do is look beyond private motorism and realise that it's time is long over due.

[UKLilly]

In most european countries Diesel is cheaper at the gas stations than gasoline.

[GreenMauiGuide]

Hello Bloggers,

I feel that electric is the way to go its was first invented in 1836 in Scotland as the first form of automobile and so its come full circle being any type of burninng is primitive and dated for our world's demand and need for energy. There are articles about EV conversion kits for every car out there and at about 5k a kit thats sweet no gas forever and when batteries get better then 300+ miles will be reality! come by and read about it. Green Maui Guide

This is Green Maui Guide back again this week to tell you about our website and ask people to please come visit our site for more information about green and ways to be environmentally responsible in your daily living practices. You can also myspace us at our myspace page www.myspace.com/greenmauiguide for further info or just to be our friend, thanks for your support and look forward to seeing you in our forums posting great topics for us to learn about!

Thanks http://www.greenmauiguide.com

[Simon]

Hello Bloggers,

I feel that electric is the way to go its was first invented in 1836 in Scotland as the first form of automobile and so its come full circle being any type of burninng is primitive and dated for our world's demand and need for energy. There are articles about EV conversion kits for every car out there and at about 5k a kit thats sweet no gas forever and when batteries get better then 300+ miles will be reality! come by and read about it. Green Maui Guide

This is Green Maui Guide back again this week to tell you about our website and ask people to please come visit our site for more information about green and ways to be environmentally responsible in your daily living practices. You can also myspace us at our myspace page www.myspace.com/greenmauiguide for further info or just to be our friend, thanks for your support and look forward to seeing you in our forums posting great topics for us to learn about!

Thanks http://www.greenmauiguide.com

Sure electric powered cars are great. But not so great if the energy comes from dirty coal plants or other fossil fuels.

And is it not long over due that the internal-combustion engine just went and died?

"Given our achievement in getting a giant mainframe's computing power into a handheld device in just a few decades, we should be able to do likewise with these dirty, little rolling power plants [internal-combustion engine] that served us well but are overdue for the scrap heap of history." [Source]