Diesel Engines Aren't Dirty Anymore

New generation of "clean diesel" engines are changing the way consumers view the once dirty technology.

By KEVIN RANSOM, AOL AUTOS

Mercedes-Benz E320 BLUETEC

Not too long ago, uttering the phrase "diesel engine" was enough to elicit a wince from car buyers whose memories of previous-generation diesels often consisted of knocking engine noise, that distinctly-diesel fragrance, and plumes of blue smoke curling from the tailpipe.

No more, however. Most of the new generation of diesel engines are being touted, and rightly so, as "clean diesel" power plants. They run on the ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel that became available in the United States in October of 2006. Experts predict that diesel sales will increase by about 300 percent over the next 10 years. That's partly because diesel engines generally deliver anywhere from 20 to 40 percent better fuel economy than gasoline-powered engines, depending on the vehicle and engine size.

So, these days, diesel engines are one of the contenders in the so-called green-driving sweepstakes: the efforts of automakers to find the best solution to the problems of high-carbon fuel emissions. As more and more consumers become more environmentally conscious, the decision to go with greener fuel sources isn't just altruism, it's also good business.

According to the Clean Diesel Fuel Alliance, the use of ultra-low-sulfur fuel in the newer clean-diesel engines will result in significantly improved air quality. Annual emission reductions will be equivalent to removing the pollution from more than 90 percent of today's trucks and buses, when the current heavy-duty vehicle fleet has been completely replaced in 2030, says the organization.

One automaker at the forefront of the clean-diesel movement is Mercedes-Benz. Last year, Mercedes launched four new clean-diesel vehicles -- the ML320 CDI mid-size SUV; the R320 CDI six-passenger luxury CUV; the E320 BLUTEC full-size luxury sedan and the GL320 CDI full-size SUV. Next summer, for the 2009 model year, Mercedes is offering BLUETEC diesel-powered versions of its popular M-, R- and GL-Class SUVs.

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The E320 BLUETEC boasts 40 percent better fuel mileage than a comparable gasoline-powered model, and its EPA city/highway rating of 27/37 mpg means it can cruise more than 700 miles on a single tank of fuel, said Patrik Borenius, manager of advanced product planning for Mercedes.

With a city/highway rating of 21/28 mpg, the R320 CDI gets 32 percent better fuel economy, while the ML320 CDI sport utility (rated at 21/27 mpg) provides a 26 percent improvement. Both CDI models have a cruising range of over 600 miles before refueling.

"The new clean-diesel engines provide three key benefits," Borenius said. "It's a more fuel-efficient technology, so the customer gets better gas mileage; it offers environmental benefits by producing less carbon dioxide and greenhouse gasses, and it's one of the answers to the energy issue, in terms of reducing our dependence on foreign oil." In April, the E320 BLUETEC was named the "2007 World Green Car" at the 2007 New York International Auto Show.

Given that Chrysler was owned by Daimler for nearly a decade, it should not come as a surprise that, during that period, Mercedes and Chrysler shared diesel technologies. So it's also not surprising that Chrysler is now working some BLUETEC magic of its own. The 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy duty trucks -- powered by the Cummins 6.7-liter Turbodiesel engine -- are Chrysler's first BLUETEC Vehicles.

The Cummins 6.7-liter Turbodiesel engine also delivers better fuel economy when compared to equivalent gasoline engines, says Chrysler. And earlier this year, at the Washington Auto Show, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, together with the Department of Energy, tapped the new 2007 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty as the cleanest mass-production diesel-engine pickup truck on the market. In addition to the Ram, current Chrysler clean-diesel-powered models include the Dodge Sprinter, with a 3.0-liter Common-rail Direct Injection (CDI) turbodiesel; and the Jeep Grand Cherokee, featuring a new 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesel engine.

In Europe, diesel-powered models account for more than half of Chrysler's sales. Indeed, across the pond, diesel versions of numerous Chrysler vehicles continue to be popular, including the Chrysler 300C, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Compass, as well as the newer 2007 Dodge Caliber and 2007 Jeep Wrangler. In fact, every Chrysler vehicle sold in Europe except the Viper offers a diesel engine as an option.

"Clearly we can't control what our customers want to buy. And we can't just put products out there, with all expense associated with developing and producing them, if we don't already think the consumer wants them," said Don Altermatt, director of diesel engines engineering for Chrysler LLC. "And right now, with all the concern about the environment, and fuel prices up over $3 a gallon again, and oil at around $100 a barrel, we are clearly hearing from our customers that they want something cleaner and more fuel-efficient. So, to that end, if this is what the customers want, and we give it to them, thats good for us, too."

See Volkswagen Touareg Photos

Volkswagen of America is another player in the diesel sweepstakes. Presently, its Touareg V10 TDI, powered by a clean-diesel plant -- equipped with a standard diesel particulate filter (DPF) -- is available in 45 states. Next year it rolls out the 2009 Jetta TDI Sedan and SportWagen, which will be powered by the 2.0L Clean Diesel TDI.

"Volkswagen has a 30 year track record of diesel importation to the U.S.," said Keith Price, Volkswagen of America's public relations manager/product and technology. That track record dates back to the VW Rabbit Diesel in 1977, when VW sold a modest 12,393 units of that vehicle in the U.S.

"And moving forward, we think that the now-widely available ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel, combined with our new clean-diesel emissions-control technology, will address the perceived or real obstacles to more U.S. drivers going diesel," Price said.

The perception issue is a real one: Many consumers are still wedded to the outdated notion that all diesel engines are dirty and noisy.

"But today's clean-diesel engines are as clean as gasoline-powered engines," says Chrysler's Altermatt. "The standards have really improved, and that's partly due to the input from the government, in terms of implementing stricter emissions standards. But we've developed diesels in a responsible manner. And in addition to now meeting those higher standards, these engines often provide the customer with engine performance that is the equivalent of gas engines, and sometimes better. And in many cases, the vehicles powered by diesel engines are more fun to drive, because they have better low-end response.

"So we do have some work to do in terms of changing old perceptions about diesels," he said. "But the more of these that come into the market, the easier it will be to help people realize that diesel is now a very clean, viable alternative to regular gasoline."

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LConni4 09:02:40 PM May 08 2008

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I want a VW

Quilt7642 12:26:03 PM Apr 23 2008

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To Liberals and fact-less warriors: Let%u2019s deal with a little more factual information. Using MPG numbers from Apr 2008 Consumer Report (CR) magazine Annual Auto issue and fuel prices from a local Shell station here in Ga. The non hybrid auto with the best CR observed MPG is the Toyota Yaris, 1.5 LTR, 5 spd has CR observed of 33 MPG. My 2001 VW Jetta TDI 5 SPD AVG%u2019s 47 MPG. Which Pollutes more a 47 MPG Diesel compact or a Subcompact at 33 MPG gas. Given the Toyota Prius gets a CR observed of 44 mpg would be better. But the Jetta TDI cost less then the Prius in 2001. (I Looked) Prius has no power. My Experience from recently living in Europe Gas/Elect Hybrids are not useful because they are underpowered for Autobahn speeds or mountains. Resale w/ 105,000 01 Prius $7,145 VS my 01 VW TDI $8,150.

JonEricD 04:25:02 PM Apr 22 2008

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A comment about the cost of diesel fuel. The clean diesel fuel (low sulfur) is more expensive to refine, with positive benefits. Also diesel fuel is more heavily taxed by the Federal Government (because of the Diesel truck fleet wear and tear on the Highway infrastructure). Federal Fuel Taxes are 18.4 cpg (cents per gallon) for gas and 24.4 cpg for diesel fuel. The States Fuel Taxes vary from a low of 8 cpg for gas and diesel in Alaska to a high of 35.1 cpg for diesel in New York and 31.9 cpg for gas in Pennsylvania. This does not include some additional local taxes and fees. In general most states taxes for are the same for both fuels with only a handful varying for the two fuels. With various factors, the higher cost associated with oil US$ 117 for a barrel of crude (42 gallons per barrel) refining (low sulfur diesel), and transport costs (up to 75% of the cost of a product), fewer outlets selling Diesel (the higher Federal Tax), prices are higher for Diesel Fuel. Offering

Marshallee 03:44:42 AM Apr 19 2008

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The higher cost of diesel fuel is just another move by the industry to show just who is in charge. While it may be true that diesel fuel should be cheaper, (as it once was) the cost will continue to be higher because the demand for diesel fuel by it's primary users (diesel trucks, buses, heavy equipment, autos, and other diesel run equipment) that make our country function in total brings in untold billions to the oil companies. As a quick example, I was told by a trucker in California at a diesel stop that it cost him nearly $800.00 for a fill-up of diesel fuel and he received less than 200 gallons. Now that is what I call outragous. This is, however, only a example of one trucker on the road. So the oil companies make much profit by taking advantage of the great demand for diesel fuel, and, perhaps if I were in their shoes I would do the same thing. Wouldn't you........

hclark973 03:00:02 AM Apr 19 2008

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In Europe you pay a tax according to your car's CO2 emissions. The diesel is more efficient and "greener" with 25% lower CO2 emissions. That is one reason why 50% of European car sales are diesel. Now that the engines can be made NOX compliant with no soot, the diesel can be made cleaner than the gas engine and a lot cleaner than your power lawn mower. The biodiesel fuels of the future will burn even cleaner and at some point, direct fuel injection may well lead to the engine being able to use gas also.

Arials369 01:46:13 AM Apr 19 2008

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My 2004 Duramax is an impressive engine. I drove my 2004, 2500 Silverado over 30,000 miles in 2006. Over 7,000 miles of this was pulling our renovated 1947 25 foot Chris Craft Express Cruiser from Washington state to Arizona on to Arkansas and finally to Algonac Michigan. From there we went North to the UP and thyen back back to Washington with side trips in between. We averaged about 17 miles to the gallion and the moutains were no chalenge for the 8,000 pounds trailing behind. Sure beat our 350 V8 in our 1989 Silverado.

hclark973 01:33:16 AM Apr 19 2008

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AnnPFNP 11:01:16 PM Apr 18 2008

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Thanks for all that great info about diesel. They say you something everyday. I'm one those that thought diesel was dirty and looked like a pollutant. Now I know better.
ann

T C WYDER 10:29:15 PM Apr 18 2008

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IM THE PROUD OWNER OF A1998 VW DIESEL AND ITS JUST SO MUCH FUN TO DRIVE. IT HAS A TURBOCHARGED ENGINE AND ONCE OF OUT OF FIRST GEAR IT HAS ALL THE POWER OF A GAS POWERED ENGINE.ECONOMY CANT BE BEAT I AVERAGE OVER 45 MPG ON HIGHWAY DRIVING AND 32 IN THE CITY. I JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT DIESEL POWERED 22 FOOT WINNEBAGO AND I AVERAGE ABOUT 25 MPG ON THE HIGHWAY AND I WOULDNT TRADE IT FOR A GAS POWERED VEHICLE. DIESEL THE FUEL OF FUTURE..

WillisFaver 09:53:46 PM Apr 18 2008

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why is it no one can give a straight and truthful answer to why diesel is more expensive than gasoline, In some states it is cheaper by a few pennys and in other states it is higher by a good amount of pennys. diesel is a left over by product of gas which is kerosine-add some small amount of chemical to it and call it diesel,So again why the high price "(truthfuly)"

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