SUV News - SUV Diesel Engines
Drivers of SUVs Saving Big Money with Diesel
Engines
by: ARA Content
(ARA) - Half of all American vacationers on the road this year
are driving gas guzzling SUVs and pickup trucks, according to
a new survey on driving habits from research firm MarketFacts.
These bigger vehicles burn high amounts of fuel, which not only
puts a dent in drivers' wallets, but also increases the country's
dependence on foreign oil. Ironically, the MarketFacts study
shows that fuel economy is an important issue for SUV and pickup
drivers.
According to automotive experts, standard gasoline engines can't
efficiently handle the weight of the larger -- and very popular
-- SUVs and pickup trucks. There is an alternative, however,
for drivers of big vehicles to consider: diesel engines.
Diesel engines like the Power Stroke Diesel in Ford F-Series
Super Duty pickups are specifically made to provide better mileage
-- 30 percent in most cases -- and have more pulling power than
gas engines, which is why they are especially popular among
those hauling camping gear or towing boats, RVs and horse trailers.
"People love big trucks for a lot of great reasons, but
running a gas engine in them is like trying to heat a hotel
with a small home furnace. You're going to burn way too much
fuel and you still won't get the power you really need,"
said Patrick Charbonneau, chief technical officer, Engine Group,
International Truck and Engine Corporation. "Diesel engines
produce more power than gasoline engines because diesel fuel
itself has more energy. And today's diesel engines are electronically
controlled to boost performance and fuel efficiency."
However, the study found that despite diesel's known benefits,
many Americans are resistant because they still have a negative
perception of these engines, recalling the noisy and odorous
diesel engines of the '70s. Industry experts dispel these myths
saying today's diesel engines are greatly improved -- running
quietly and not producing odors or smoke.
Major automakers in the United States have taken an interest
in diesel power predominantly because of the success of diesels
in Europe. "Over 30 percent of the passenger cars in Europe
are now diesel, and the main reason is fuel economy," said
Charbonneau. "The Big Three know fuel economy is keenly
important here in North America."
Currently in the United States, diesel engines are an option
over the standard gasoline engines, adding a few thousand dollars
to the cost of a new vehicle. Although buying a diesel engine
is a higher monetary investment initially, automakers say diesel
engines make up this cost difference within just three years
from fuel savings alone. Diesel engines also add greater resale
value to pickups and SUVs due to their longevity.
Industry insiders believe that in 20 years, 30 percent of the
passenger cars, sport utilities and pickups in America will
use diesel engines because of fuel efficiency and near zero
emissions capabilities. According to the Department of Energy,
if diesels reach even a percent of their potential penetration
by 2020, the country could conserve as much as 700,000 barrels
of fuel per day -- half the energy used daily by the state of
California.
For more information, visit www.GreenDieselTechnology.com.
About The Author
Courtesy of ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com; e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com |
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