Diesel cars have been around for a long and they have been popular, especially among those who require more towing power. While traditional SUVs do offer diesel alternatives to their gasoline counterparts, they are not as popular. Diesel is most popular among pickup truck drivers.
While there are certain advantages of using diesel, it also has some nasty repercussions, particularly in the form of emissions. The fuel efficiency of a Ford F-150 that uses a diesel engine and one that uses a gasoline engine will also be different, but don’t be deluded by that figure.
Diesel engines hide some nasty secrets behind them. If not regulated or controlled, they can be really harmful to the environment. Most people do realize this and even the government, that’s why diesel engines are not as popular in America as in Europe. Especially after the whole scam that Volkswagen pulled off, the trust with diesel engines has dwindled.
Here are some pros and cons of diesel cars:
Pros:
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Better Torque
If you have ever seen the spec sheet of a diesel engine, then you would have noticed that diesel engines offer much better torque figures as compared to a gasoline engine. Diesel has a much higher fuel compression ratio as compared to gasoline. This is why it tends to burn slowly and produce more torque. The higher the torque, the higher the towing capacity. This is why trucks are better equipped with diesel engines. For heavier duties and for climbing over hills and other terrains, diesel engines offer better torque than a traditional gasoline engine.
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Better Fuel Economy
Diesel engines are also known to deliver better fuel economy. Once again, due to having a higher compression ratio, diesel offers better fuel economy compared to a traditional gasoline engine. A diesel engine does not need a spark plug. When the piston compresses the diesel, it automatically ignites and pushes the piston back. With the introduction of fuel injection systems, diesel cars have become even more fuel-efficient.
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Lesser maintenance
The diesel engines take spark plugs out of the equation, so that is one less part to worry about. Due to this and other factors, diesel engines usually require less maintenance than their counterpart – a gasoline engine. Diesel engines, therefore, cost less money to maintain over time.
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Lesser fire hazards
A diesel engine is also less susceptible to fire than a traditional gasoline engine. Gasoline is extremely volatile and can easily be ignited by just a tiny spark. On the other hand, diesel engines are more restrained and they do not get ignited by just a tiny spark. They require you to heat the fluid or compress it enough. Therefore, due to the properties of diesel, a diesel engine has much less chance of being ignited than a gasoline engine.
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Lesser taxes
In the United States, the taxes on diesel vehicles are lower than that on gasoline-powered vehicles. This is another incentive for truck drivers to keep using diesel engines, instead of using traditional gasoline-powered ones.
Cons:
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Emissions
We all know by now that diesel engines are pretty useful. They have some significant benefits over traditional gasoline engines. But where they lag behind is something completely unacceptable. Diesel engines are not as popular as gasoline engines because they have higher emissions too. Diesel engines are known for producing dark soot and a characteristic smell.
They can also emit black smoke which includes tons of carcinogens. As you might have guessed already, diesel engines are bad for the environment. Modern diesel engines are still better and offer cleaner energy, but they still are no match for traditional gasoline engines. The world is shifting to EVs, so we doubt we will ever see the resurgence of diesel engines again.
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Pollution
Diesel engines are more harmful than gasoline engines in the fact that they produce more emissions, but the emissions also lead to severe environmental problems other than air pollution. They can also lead to water pollution and soil pollution. The emissions of diesel engines can mix in with the air and cause numerous problems for the human body if left unchecked. Continuous exposure can lead to lots of untreatable errors.
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Global warming
Not just diesel engines, but engines, in general, are a primary cause of global warming. However, diesel engines, in particular, are quite harmful too. They release more emissions, they release harmful gases such as nitrous oxide, sulphur dioxide, and of course, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. These all contribute to the greenhouse effect.
The more CO2 in the atmosphere, the warmer the earth gets, and naturally, the higher the heat trapped inside the earth becomes. Because of this greenhouse effect, the average temperature of the earth slowly rises over time. This is the leading and primary cause of global warming. This is why the government is trying to move away from internal combustion engine cars and make the switch to electric vehicles.
Extracting diesel can harm the environment
Diesel is made from the fractional distillation of crude oil. Now, in order to find where these oil reservoirs are located, seismic waves are used. Created by explosions. To extract the crude oil, wells have to be drilled. Of course, these wells are big and deep and once they serve their purpose, they are just left there.
Nothing else can be done in that place. And if something were unfortunate enough to be on top of it, it would simply collapse. No cautions are taken and the oil wells are just left there, causing harm to the environment.
Diesel engines run on fossil fuels
As mentioned previously, diesel engines are dependent on fossil fuels. Diesel, just like gasoline and other fuels, is extracted from fossil fuels. Not only extracting, but the usage of fossil fuels also harms the environment. Diesel, in particular, is more harmful to the environment than other fuels. Also, if we are dependent on diesel, we cannot be for long. Why? Because fossil fuels are running out.
There will eventually come a day when fossil fuels will completely run out and we will have no choice but to switch to renewable sources of energy, such as electricity. That’s why, the whole automotive world is slowly making the switch to electricity. Climate change is real and it might not be apparent now, but it will be in a few years. So, if anyone is still dependent on gasoline or diesel, they must make the switch now.
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