"It's Starting to Look Like a Love Affair with Diesell"

from Wisconsin Biodiesel Association News Service:

Jeff Pieterick, President, WBA
from Wisconsin Biodiesel Assocation Newsletter
November 5, 2007
Click here to signup to receive the Wisconsin Biodiesel Association Newsletter

"It's starting to look like a love affair with diesel!"

And for all the right reasons, too!

The advent of Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) mandated in 2006 has opened the door for diesel engines to be offered to US consumers, and the carmakers are driving right through with diesel options to offer.

The new technology "clean diesels" provide fewer emissions and much greater efficiency than their gasoline counterparts. Fuel economy improvements of more than 25% over gasoline are common. (Just ask the neighbor driving the VW TDi and he'll tell you all about a comfortable and roomy ride at upwards of 50mpg.)

Europe has long trended toward diesel power, with over 50% of their automobiles powered by the compression ignition (diesel) engine. The US diesel engine option has been stuck at @3% market penetration, but that's about to change. "Clean diesel" prevails, with result that these European models (and domestic variations) now meet and exceed the most stringent air emission requirements in the country, including those of the California Air Regulatory Board (CARB).

The efficiencies and environmental benefit to be gained by these engines is not unnoticed in the marketplace. In 2005, JD Power and Associates surveyed carbuyers and found that the same demographic that bought the Toyota Prius hybrid were also purchasing VW TDi's. They identified these impressive Volkswagens and their diesel power as Alternative Fuel Vehicles, made even more "Green" with the use of biodiesel.

Read more>>