Diesels an alternative to gas-guzzlers
The following is a Counterpoint.
By Chris Corry
Recently my wife and I took a short two-for-the-road trip to southern France.
We rented a four-seat Peugeot turbo-diesel in Lyons and headed for Gordes, speaking almost no French. It was slightly smaller than a VW Jetta.
I couldn’t help but be impressed with my rental car — the little diesel being quick and nimble. While driving, I noticed that almost all the other cars were turbo-diesels as well, including BMWs, Audis, Saabs, Volvos, Ford, Citroen, Mercedes, Renault, etc. Even the Range Rovers were diesels.
Fuel was about $4 per gallon, and my little car averaged 60 miles per gallon throughout the 900-mile trip. After returning home, I did a bit of research on the cars I saw, finding that almost all brands offer cars that get an average of 65 miles per gallon, combined city and highway.
The highway mileage ranged from 75 to 83 miles per gallon. These are clean-burning diesels that produce no smell or visible fumes. I was impressed and also depressed since I cannot buy or import one, and I am wondering why.
With our economic situation here and fuel prices being so uncertain, why is it that we have no choices in this matter?
Some say safety is the reason. Others say the diesels are not clean enough.
After spending nine days among them, I say hogwash. I believe there are people controlling what we Americans have permission to buy, and I want that changed.
We are still living in America, right?
If you would like to have the choice to buy a car that achieves more than 80 miles to the gallon, is clean burning, fast, and has an engine that lasts twice as long as a gasoline car, call up your congressman and senators and put them on the spot.
Everyone I know drives. Spending less than half of your present budget on fuel should be attractive.
The writer lives in Greensboro.
Comments (5)
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Back in the 70's diesel small trucks were common, I owned one one. At thta time diesel fuel was about 2/3 the price of gas!
Know what happened? I do. Our government took over.
Posted on May 6, 2009 7:03 AM
There are so many diesels in Europe because they preferred the better mileage to the cleaner air. Of course, they tend not to drive as much either. Also, most European countries tax diesel at a lower rate than regular petrol, so it's subsidized.
Clean diesel today is great. It's a lot cleaner than it was in the 70's an even just a few years ago. BMW, Volkswagon, and other foreign car companies are planning to increase the number of diesels sold in America and more people will probably buy them. Inevitably though, the cost of diesel will increase, making it no more cost-effective than regular gasoline and sales will probably drop.
In fact, the government's recent (2006) restrictions on diesel, lowering the allowed sulfur content from 500 ppm to 15 ppm can be thanked for the soon to come increase in diesel cars sold, as high-sulfur diesel damages engines and emissions control systems.
Europe raised its standards much earlier, which meant that all those diesels in Europe that our Letter Writer mentioned had to be redesigned to withstand more sulfur if they were to be sold in the US before 2006.
Posted on May 6, 2009 7:44 AM
First let me say concerning you recent road trip in France, you have my sympathy.
Next you said " I believe there are people controlling what we Americans have permission to buy, and I want that changed."
Have faith, they are working on that problem in Washington, night and day.
Maybe the new Guvmint Motor Auto Company
will offer you one.
Posted on May 6, 2009 8:17 AM
I used to live in Southern France ghost, it's a beautiful area.
Agreed, don't worry...Obamamotors will get you the car you want.
Posted on May 6, 2009 8:27 AM
I spent most of the last year in Europe. My car was a diesel station wagon that got 38 mpg, and my wife drove an older mini-van that got about 45-50. I realize it takes more oil to make a gallon of diesel than a gallon of gasoline, so the comparison is not head-to-head, but even after that calculation, my mileage was about 40% better than our cars here. And it was really nice to only fill up about once a month. Diesel costs a little more per gallon, but the difference is far outweighed by the mileage improvement. It is clearly obvious to me that expansion of diesel cars here will decrease our dependence on foreign oil.
Posted on May 6, 2009 9:20 AM