the single most effective thing we could do
 

the single most effective thing we, as a nation, could do to reduce fuel usage.... short of getting rid of big SUV's

switch to diesel engines.. like in europe.. diesel engines are 40% more efficient than a gas engine and the new models meet or exceed emissions..

Small diesel powered cars could easily make our usage of oil be cut in half.. combine that with the biofuel production wed be sitting in a much better situation. biodiesel is half the emissions of regular diesel

And even imagine a diesel electric hybrid ... 100mpg would be a easily attainable tank average

I would be first in line if it were affordable, if they mass produced like they do in Europe it should be. A jetta tdi being 25k or more.... not paying that for a jetta.

Yea, if they didn't cost a lot more then a traditional ICE then I would definitely consider it. However, diesel prices would also have to follow suit and get closer to the level of unleaded gas as well, I'll be damned if I ever pay $4.70 a gallon for fuel.

Can we remind you of this statement in about a year? :D

Diesel is going the way of the steam engine very quickly. The fuel costs 25% more than gasoline both here and in europe. Any fuel economy benefit will be lost in the additional cost of the fuel. Diesel fuel takes more crude oil to produce than gasoline. With HCCI gasoline engines on the horizon and hybrid technology here today, diesel will remain the domain of heavy trucks, trains and generators. Even in that market, there are signs of people trying to switch away from the dirty, expensive fuel in favor of natural gas, LPG, GLT and small turbine engines.
The cost of cleaning up diesel exhaust to California standards is another barrier to entry.

In short, diesel is dead.

I beg to differ, in other countries diesel is far more popular than here inthe states.. GM screwed over the reputation for diesels in the 80's.. however most diesels are far more reliable than most gas engines.

Many manufactures new diesels can meet even California's emission's standards. Like BMW etc.

The rise of biodiesel is even more appealing.. especially since biodiesel reduces emmisions even further than gasoline engines.. funny whats old is new again, the diesel engine was originally invented to run on peanut oil.. or other locally grown oils.

25% added fuel expense doesn't make sense? when your consumption is 40% less.. for your logic to make sense diesel would need to be 40% higher than gas .. right now with gas at $4.00 a gallon diesel would need to be over $5.60 a gallon to be less efficient from a economic standpoint.

I'd be nice to see some sources. I'm seeing some things mentioned that I know to be untrue.


http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/08/sc...in&oref=slogin

EDIT: N/M, I forgot everyone here is an expert on the subject.

No it isn't... No it isn't

Diesels are 40% more efficient than a gas engine, diesel fuel is easier to refract than gasoline, diesel's do not produce the same emissions as gassers, diesels can run clean... It's not dead, It's undergoing a revolution..

plus, steam didn't die, IT WAS MURDERED!!! The gas car is the bullet that did the job not only to steam but to electrics... that and America's abhorrent laziness.

* EDIT: month...or less. :(

In about a year? How about a month?