| With the implementation of alternative fuel sources | | | | But, the sulfur in the diesel that is emitted during cold |
| on the minds of many, diesel is now under the | | | | ignitions and long engine idling is still harmful to the |
| microscope more than ever. Although diesel-powered | | | | environment because the sulfurs prevent the control |
| vehicles have been around for a long time, gasoline is | | | | of diesel particulate emissions through diesel |
| still the primary fuel source for most North American | | | | particulate filters. This is changing, though, since new |
| vehicles. Why has diesel not been used as a fuel | | | | advanced technologies such as nitrogen oxide |
| source in more vehicles? Which is better for the | | | | absorbers are being developed to reduce these |
| environment? These are questions that are being | | | | emissions. |
| asked more frequently as the search for alternative | | | | As for gasoline, it is the non-aliphatic hydrocarbons as |
| fuels is weighing heavily on more people's minds. | | | | well as carcinogenic additives that avoid |
| Gasoline vs. Diesel | | | | engine-knocking that threaten the public's health and |
| It turns out that gasoline is more volatile than diesel, | | | | the environment. This exposure happens in the case |
| not because of what its base consists of, but | | | | of gasoline leaks and then, of course, there are the |
| because of the additives it contains. In addition, | | | | carbon emissions we hear a lot about. Leaks occur |
| vehicles that use diesel tend to be more fuel-efficient | | | | when trucks begin leaking the gasoline they are |
| and produce less greenhouse gases. In that respect, | | | | carrying, storage containers are not stored properly, |
| diesel is more environmentally friendly. Diesel actually | | | | and from motor vehicle leakage. The harmful |
| produces 15% more in greenhouse gases than | | | | additives in gasoline can get into groundwater and |
| gasoline when compared by the litre rather than the | | | | contaminate public water supplies. |
| gallon. Yet it is through the 20-40% improvement in | | | | However, Dieselization is becoming a more common |
| fuel economy over gasoline that offsets the higher | | | | use of diesel as a fuel in motor vehicles, although it is |
| emissions per litre. In actuality, the carbon dioxide | | | | determined that both diesel and gasoline have harmful |
| emissions are considerably less than gasoline, but | | | | effects on the environment. When we look at the |
| diesel does contain 2,778 grams of carbon per gallon, | | | | carbon emissions of both, we find that diesel will emit |
| whereas gasoline contains 2,421 grams per gallon. But, | | | | more per gallon (or litre), but when you look at how |
| again, it is the fuel economy of diesel that accounts | | | | much you have to fill the fuel tank with diesel versus |
| for the smaller rate of carbon emissions. | | | | how much you have to fill with gasoline, you will find |
| Then again, diesel fuel contains larger quantities of | | | | that the percentage of emissions is offset for diesel, |
| sulfur. The United States has what is considered to | | | | which can be friendlier on the pocketbook. On the |
| be the dirtiest diesel, but as of June 1, 2010 this is | | | | other hand, sulfur is emitted by diesel and diesel does |
| going to be different. U.S. diesel fuel has a lower | | | | not perform as well in cold weather as gasoline, so |
| measure of ignition quality. This means that when it is | | | | until 2010 when diesel is cleaned up, gasoline may be |
| cold outside, ignition performance is poor and can | | | | slightly more environmentally friendly than diesel in |
| result in higher emissions. This is why you see truck | | | | respect to the emissions from automobiles. As for |
| drivers idling their trucks all night long in cold weather | | | | ground contamination, diesel has an edge over |
| rather than risk a troublesome start in the mornings. | | | | gasoline in keeping our world clean. |