Higher Fuel Economy Standards Will Increase Clean Diesel Car and Truck Choices for Consumers

Allen Schaeffer, the executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum, today issued the following statement on the Obama Administration’s announcement that it was beginning the process of developing “tougher” greenhouse gas and fuel efficiency requirements for cars and light trucks for model years 2017 through 2025.

European Drivers Already Rely On Diesel Cars for Increased Fuel Efficiency

“Meeting the pending ‘tougher’ fuel efficiency targets will require many different solutions and we’re more confident than ever that clean diesel technology is going to be one of those solutions. Only time will tell if the American consumer is ready for plug-in electric vehicles, but they are already telling us loud and clear today that they are ready for more clean diesel technology.

“In Europe, over 50 percent of all the automobiles on the streets today are diesel cars due to their high fuel efficiency, low emissions and long-term durability. While a more modest three percent of cars and light trucks in America are diesel at this moment, these new fuel efficiency targets will dramatically increase the importance of clean diesel cars to U.S. drivers.

Diesel Car Sales Were Up A Whopping 52 Percent in August 2010 - In The U.S.
“Diesel car sales in August 2010 were up a whopping 52 percent from the previous August, and up by 20 percent over July 2010, highlighting American consumers growing recognition of the benefits of clean diesel technology as a new fuel efficient, economical choice with proven long-term value.

“Now more than ever, consumers are cautious with their automotive investment dollars looking more for long-term value, performance and confidence, all of which they get with a diesel vehicle. The technology is proven and clean diesel fuel is now available alongside gasoline blends at more than half of all service stations throughout the country. In addition, the resale value of diesel vehicles has traditionally been higher than for comparable gasoline models. And there are still federal tax credits available for many diesel cars through the end of this year.

“Even with fewer choices for consumers, clean diesel car sales indicate a growing consumer acceptance. Today, U.S. consumers can choose from 14 cars, trucks or SUVs with a clean diesel engine, compared to 34 choices of hybrid technologies. The next diesel entry into the U.S. market will be Mazda, which announced earlier this year that its SKY-D clean diesel engine will be available here in the 2012 timeframe as a new option in one or more vehicles.

“The national clean car program and the pending GHG and fuel efficiency standards will certainly make the diesel engine a much more attractive alternative in that it achieves higher fuel efficiency without sacrificing vehicle tradeoffs like size and performance.

“Clean diesel engines will allow manufacturers to continue to provide consumers with the full range of vehicles they want, from fuel efficient family sedans and crossover SUVs, to full size pickup trucks, which continue to rank in the top five best selling vehicles in the U.S. – all this without sacrificing performance for fuel economy.”