| Last week we discussed the new US fuel efficiency | | | | dioxide emissions than gas powered cars but |
| standards that were agreed between the White | | | | unfortunately they give off other pollutants such as |
| House, Environmentalists and the Auto Industry. We | | | | Nitrogen Oxide and other small particulates. In the USA |
| questioned the concerns of those who suggest that | | | | and particularly some states the emission standards |
| US consumers will not spend extra money on a more | | | | are high and the higher sulfur content in US diesel |
| fuel efficient car unless the cost of fuel increases and | | | | means many diesel engines cannot meet these stricter |
| remains high. | | | | standards. In Europe this problem is averted because |
| Continuing with this topic, we have also heard from the | | | | their diesel has a much lower sulfur content than the |
| other side of the spectrum that the fuel efficiency | | | | diesel produced in the USA and therefore gives off |
| standard of 39 mpg for a passenger car to be met in | | | | less Nitrogen Oxide and particulates. The German |
| incremental stages before 2016 is too low. Here they | | | | engineered cars (Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes) also |
| may have a point. The average fuel efficiency of all | | | | seem to be far ahead in producing clean burning diesel |
| cars, SUVs and minivans in the US is around 23 mpg. | | | | engines. |
| In Europe and Japan that figure is over 40 mpg. So if | | | | So we know how Europe achieves its 40mpg |
| Europe and Japan already produce cars with an | | | | average fuel efficiency standard with diesel powered |
| average fuel consumption higher than the standard set | | | | cars. We also know that there are less diesel cars in |
| to be reached in the US by 2016 then why is this | | | | the US because of the concerns with emissions but |
| standard so low. | | | | that the technology is improving quickly and some |
| While you can buy a few cars in the US that get great | | | | diesel cars that are now meeting the emissions |
| fuel economy (Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid, Mini | | | | standards and being sold in the US. |
| Cooper, Smart and now the VW Jetta TDI), around 40 | | | | If we take these diesel engines into account in the US, |
| mpg, there are not too many and at least 2 of them | | | | knowing that they can achieve fuel efficiency |
| (the Mini and the Smart) are small cars. One of the | | | | standards above 40mpg already then the 39 mpg |
| reasons Europe in particular has such a good average | | | | standard set passenger cars by 2016 is really not |
| fuel efficiency is that there are numerous cars that | | | | good enough. |
| use clean diesel engines. In fact back in 2002 when I | | | | But lets look at this in a different way. Until now very |
| (Dudley) Lived in England I drove a VW Golf TDI | | | | few diesel powered cars have been sold in the US |
| (diesel) that got about 50 mpg, . In fact diesel engines | | | | and if standards for gas powered cars was to |
| get at least 30% more fuel efficiency than gas | | | | increase to 39 mpg that would be a reasonable goal. If |
| powered engines. | | | | a smallish gas powered car in 2009 averages 30 mpg, |
| So why do we not have more diesel powered cars in | | | | then a 30% increase to 39 mpg over 7 years should |
| the USA? Diesel engines actually produce less carbon | | | | be an achievable goal for most car manufacturers. |