Will clean diesel cars be the next step in the evolution of fuel efficient, low emission passenger vehicles? Diesel engines were viewed as a possible solution to the energy crisis of the 1970’s as car manufacturers produced passenger vehicles with diesel engines that boasted over 50 mpg. However, these diesel cars never achieved mainstream status in the car world due to several drawbacks. Traditional diesel engines are loud, lack acceleration and speed, and produce black smoke from the exhaust. Today, however, clean diesel cars may be the next revolution in fuel efficient vehicles.
The new clean diesel vehicles offer powerful engines, fuel efficiency that rivals or surpasses many hybrid models, and clean emissions. Compared to comparable gasoline powered vehicles, clean diesel cars get 30 percent better fuel economy, produce up to 25 percent less CO2 emissions, and produce 50 percent more torque. Many of the new diesel engines are turbo charged, direct-injected high performance machines, such as that in the diesel powered Volkswagen Jetta. Further, the Euro-spec 2007 VW Polo clean diesel engine achieves nearly 75 mpg while maintaining lower greenhouse gas emissions than many hybrid models.
How do these new clean diesel cars produce more power while lower harmful greenhouse gas emissions? The answer is in part due to the new technology in the engines and also in part due to cleaner diesel fuels. Known as ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel, clean diesel has 97% less sulfur than regular diesel. That’s only 15 parts per million (ppm) of sulfur content. The engine itself also reduces greenhouse gas emissions with the use of a particulate filter, which captures soot so its not expelled through the exhaust system. Some engines also turn nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen gas and water vapor by spraying a urea-based substance on the remaining exhaust. Catalytic converters further reduce the harmful emissions produced by these engines.
While clean diesel does cost more at the fuel pump than gasoline the increased range per gallon makes up for this drawback. Further benefits of the clean diesel car include dependability, as they require less maintenance than their gasoline powered counterparts, and less depreciation than gasoline vehicles and hybrid cars after 100,000 miles. A tax credit is also available for some clean diesel cars, such as the Volkswagen Jetta TDI, through the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit Act.
Clean diesel cars come in a variety of models including trucks, SUV’s, crossovers, and passenger cars. Further, as car manufacturers are continuing to invest in clean diesel technology new models will be become available. However, there are several models currently available. Volkswagen now offers the Golf TDI, Jetta TDI, Jetta Sportswagen TDI, and the Touareg TDI in clean diesel models. Audi offers the A3 TDI, which recently won the Green Car of the Year Award for 2010 at the Los Angeles Car Show. BMW is producing the 335d sedan and the X5 SUV in diesel models. Other car companies are producing clean diesel cars, but the European manufacturers are leading the way as clean diesel cars account for 50 to 60 percent of all cars sold in Europe.
Although clean diesel cars have not experienced the same level of popularity in the U.S. as they have abroad, clean diesel technology is continuing to increase and Americans can expect to see more and more of these vehicles on the car lot and on the road.
