I just went by a station today and diesel was 25 cents per gallon cheaper than 89 octane regular.

 

Are you saying CARB are wrong to impose tough limits on NOx? (essentially the specific emissions test that current diesels struggle to pass). It's incumbent on manufacturers to meet the limits - not the other way around. The US is a major polluter using a disproportionate amount of energy and resources per capita. We need more states adopting CARB-type regulations, not less. The 2008 diesels should address all of these issues and will be a major step forward in efficiency.

 

Here in the uk, diesel is between 3 to 5% more expensive than petrol.
My e60 530d is not economical for short journeys, typically only returning about 24 mpg.
However the upside is a very entertaining drive with a huge supply of torque that literally launches the car.

 

In the UK, the Diesel price difference is claimed to be seasonal and in fact around me there are many stations where unleaded and diesel are the same price and a few stations where diesel is now, strangely, cheaper.

In any event, it's marketing at some level since in almost all other European countries, diesel is significantly cheaper than unleaded and if the core price wasn't significantly less than unleaded, the mainland Europe price differentials wouldn't have been sustainable over the years.

ABC

 

If California is prone to smog, then no.

But unlike CO2 which is claimed (and the jury is desperately trying to remain out) to be a GLOBAL pollutant, NOx affects only the immediate locale.

So if Californians wish to drive their SUVs and V8s 100yards to buy the milk then it would appear tough NOx limits are needed.

ABC

 

Not on the West coast. Lately I have seen diesel as high as 3.35/gallon, most stations are around 3.20-3.25/gallon. Majority of stations have 89 octane regular around 3.00/gallon or less.

 

Whislt understanding the importance of price at the pump, surely it's a matter of what is costs to drive your car per mile.

Remember diesel has a significantly higher calorific value than gasoline and you will get a significantly better fuel efficiency than from unleaded. So a few cents a gallon will be irrelevant when you have to fill up 20% less often.

ABC

 

We are experiencing an explosion in the diesel market here in Sweden. Historically, diesel cars have had a very high yearly tax. This is now changing and we are buying more and more diesel cars. We are still behind many other countries in Europe when it comes to the diesel market share but we are getting there.

I just bought my first diesel and I really like it. Consumption is low and the price of diesel is significantly lower than petrol. Some days the difference can be as much as 25%. And remember that fuel prices are much higher compared to North America so the cost of fuel could potentially limit the use of our cars here. And I don't think that I am sacrificing anything by driving a diesel as the car is silent enough, and the torque is massive.

In Europe we blend 5% ethanol with unleaded petrol, mostly for environmental reasons. Ethanol cars driving on a mix of 85% ethanol and 15% petrol is also becoming more common in Europe and especially in Sweden. We also have some hybrids like the Toyota Prius and petrol/gas hybrids. In the last couple of years, alternative fuels have been debated a lot in Sweden and cities and the government are giving different incentives for people to drive eco cars.

I think that the diesel engine will have a great future as there are developments underway for biodiesel fuel and even synthetic fuel. Already now, the diesel sold in many European countries contain 5% bioadditives. In the fall, a biodiesel with 20% biological content wil become available in Sweden, to the same cost as ordinary diesel.

And with some modifications, a diesel engine can run on 100% RME which is completely biological.

 

Shouldn't we be growing food in these areas?

ABC

 

here in Norway they talk about NOT selling gasoline cars from 2015 (new cars).