Quote:
Originally Posted by robchalmers
i know this sounds odd and alil like a conspiracy theorey, but do you thing Big oil have got the manufacturers in the states to make the Diesels there clanky and smokey???
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No.
There are almost no manufacturers of diesel cars in the States. VW was the only one with a diesel passenger vehicle for many years, and the motor was very quiet and efficient.
Big Oil doesn't care if they sell diesel or gasoline, as they are all petroleum products.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gasstingy
I believe emissions has something to do with it now. That's why in the last year or so, the US has gone to an ultra-low sulfur diesel formula. It may make it easier to certify a diesel emissions legal now.  |
Precisely. Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD, 15ppm) has replaced Low Sulfer Diesel (LSD, 500ppm) by law. This change was needed for catalytic converters to be used on diesel engines.
The downside of the sulfur removal process is a slight drop in fuel lubricity and power (~1%). This means that diesel today returns about 1% less MPG than diesel prior to 2007.
We will begin to see more diesel engines in the US, but it will take some time. I'm dreaming of a Toyota Tacoma turbo diesel.