Diesel vs. gas popularity in the US...why

[serpa4]

Well, google didn't turn up much on the exact topic:
Why is the US high on gas usage vs foreign countries all favoring diesel?
Lots of info on why diesel is better, engine differences, production volume, etc, but why is the US hung up on gas vs. diesel? Europe over 50% of cars registered every year are diesel.
My only guess is that the US has been a leader in "clean" air and maybe in the old days gas burned cleaner and thus we use gas vs. the old clunky smelly diesel of the past?

 

[TheBac]

IMO, its because our government wont push for more diesel usage, thru education and advertisement. Also, the government has placed too strict enviro rules concerning diesels that discourage companies from investing in the technology, let alone importing cleandiesel from Europe.

Also, the majority of the public also has the incorrect view that diesels are loud, clanky, smoky and stinky.....of which they were right in the '70s, but now they are wrong.

But the biggest reason why diesels havent caught on in the US? IMO, the 1979-82 Olds "D" block 5.7L diesel engine. Terrible motor. Ruined diesel's reputation in 3 short years. In 1983-4, the revised "DX" block engine was a good motor, but the damage was already done.

Can you imagine a 5000lbs car (Olds 98) getting 35-37mpg highway today? How fast would they sell if they were reliable and quiet? I think this is what the 4.5L diesel could do for GM, if they'd get their heads out of their ass and build it.

 

[dbtravis]

because everybody thinks of diesel and see's semi's... slow

 

[SmokeShow]

they are still mostly just considered for work trucks or those that use them as trucks. Not many consider them for general dd just because that's what they prefer. They are also considerably more expensive than their gas equivalent. So many times people buy based on bottom line rather than consumer dollar value. That hurts.

If the cars were pushed more now a days for their fuel mileage they'd start to catch on because they get at least 25% and many times 50-100% better fuel mileage than their gas equivalent.

Their old image doesn't help either. And neither do the environmentalists.

 

[mytmousemalibu]

I love diesels with a passion! Ive grown up around them, worked on em, drove them, tuned em, raced em, etc. They facinate me in everyway! Love the sight, smell, sound, power! Everyone I know thinks im a diesel lunatic! The diesels of the new generation are so far superior to the old and gassers for that matter too! There really amazing machines! I've boasted the cool facts on diesels to alot of people i know, even very auto inclined folks, and they seem amazed but still dont buy into it, still the same old diesel mentality? Alot of folks are flat out clueless! i wished we had more of the diesel options europe does! Some great machines there! Even our very own GM is holdin out on us! Least were startin to get some, BMW's, Benz's, VW's, etc. There still niche to most but seems there startin to catch wind finally. Need some more public education shoved in the nations face and diesel buyers incentives. Cost more...ya but you fuel savings can recoupe that, along with resale and vehicle life and durability. long as fuel prices dont go insane, although that did open up some eyes. Keep the diesel big advantage exactly that, an advantage, MPG kings! The Gov/EPA etc, has been too harsh on them though. Trading super scrubber clean exhaust for burning twice the fuel to do it was shooting ourselves in the foot and expense of technolegy added to sticker cost. How much sense did that make if were so worried about oil supply? Gets into politics and money so ill leave that alone. But we outta had pushed bio fuels and CNG and such more than DPF's and urea inj. BS when even older so called "dirtier" diesels are still cleaner than 95% of other vehicles on the road! Even with visible emissions, there still very clean. I got the opportunity to tour a salt mine, like 900ft below my feet! and everything down there is diesel or electric! Nothing gas powered, gassers course produce carbon monoxide and diesels don't, there exhaust is breathable! Try that with your civic or prius hybrid (which is worse for the enviro than a reg new car cause the stupid batterys). Hope diesel futures are goin to improve more, I love em! Just need to take the general public out for some electro-shock therapy or a 2x4 to head and knock some sense into people:rofl: Since in recent times, we seem to do the exact opposite of what we actually need to do!

Sorry for the encyclopedia i typed! Just wanted to share/sound off! :hug:

 

[serpa4]

So many times people buy based on bottom line rather than consumer dollar value.
Ya, that's true.
No, hybrid batteries bad for the environment? Can't be. It's so clean to drive w/LiIo LiPo NMHi etc batteries. Lithium, nickel metal, yada yada, all good stuff to go into the dump for sure.

 

[mytmousemalibu]

Yup.....




I Suppose were kinda preaching to the choir here huh If we could only print this thread off and slap it into newspapers everywhere pffffffft, ya, thata work

 

[MMLMM]

Because we have a bunch of dumb asses in office that really think they know a lot, when a majority of our country's issues could be fixed by a couple of high school kids that aren't after money.....



OH yea, I also think it has something to do with Tree Huggin' Hippies too.

 

[serpa4]

So, would a ricer be a ricer if it had a diesel? Then 5 inch tips on a 1.2 liter might be acceptable?