Quote:
Originally Posted by N519AT  But you do have a choice! You can always pick up a used Volkswagen TDI, which runs Diesel, Bio-Diesel or even Veggy oil if you so desire. I get an average of 48 mpg and about 700 miles/tank (there is evidence of people going much further on a tank...over 1000 mi). Sure I pay a little more than the gassers out there for my fuel, but if you figure that an average gas automobile gets 25 MPG...we'll round mine to 50 mpg. I get twice what the gassers get, so at a price of $3.00/gal...my fuel would have to go up to $6.00/gal before I was even with the gasser next to me...
They're cleaner for the environment too and pilots love them!
/enddieselsalespitch |
Actually diesels are not cleaner than gassers for the environment. Gasoline burns way more clean than diesel in most cases. Ever stand behind a diesel car or truck when it takes off? They emit a visible cloud of black soot that you can smell as well. The reason why diesels are not more popular in US is because of laws governing vehicle emissions, which get more strict every year, especially in CA. This way, for companies like VW that offer diesel cars for US consumers to stay in the market, they must work to make their diesel models burn ultra-clean ($$$).
In countries like Czech Rep. 90% of the cars on the road are powered by diesel, and they do see better fuel economy, but this is because Europe in general has more lenient laws regarding emissions.
Strict Emissions Laws = slower, more expensive, less fuel efficient cars. The future favors hybrids, fuel cell, and electric cars over diesel/bioD.