Why is Europe so fond of diesels?

[Brett Dikeman]

On Fri, 9 Feb 2001, Jon R Tetzloff wrote:

> I realize that modern diesels are probably clean
> and quiet, etc, yet you still pretty much couldn't give
> away a diesel car in the US.

Not true.  VW and other companies regularly sell every diesel they bring
over.  Diesel Ford and Dodge trucks are extremely popular.  There's no
such thing as a gasolene powered 18 wheeler anymore.  Almost all package
carriers and shipping companies that have anything larger than a small box
truck use diesel power.  Diesel is all around you, you just don't realize
it.

Diesel is also supposedly of higher quality in Europe, which means
it's easier to make a diesel that passes emissions standards.  Some co's
won't bring their diesels to the US because of "inferior fuel."  So if
nobody's selling, nobody's buying :-)

A lot of the problems, such as poor starting in wintertime, etc...have
been solved.  I think the big problem was that the technology wasn't
-quite- ready just yet.  Now it is...but Americans remember getting
burned.

Diesel isn't a "wonder fuel".  Exposure to more than 30 seconds
of diesel exhaust daily is considered carcinogenic by OSHA.  Particulates
are also an enormous problem since many companies try to skimp on
maintenance.  Ever seen a dump truck that -didn't- belch
clouds of smoke?  Regular diesel traffic through a residential section can
be quite harmful to the residents.

> Is the popularity in Europe a fuel cost thing, a
> mechanical simplicity thing, engine longevity,
> or what?

All of the above.  They're simple and go 2-3 times the distance on a
gallon of fuel, which is around the same cost.  So you effectively get
your fuel at half(or less) cost.

> I'm not trying to take sides or start any arguments, I am
> just curious why there's such a difference between
> the US and Europe here.

Mainly because gas is at least +2X the cost in UK/Euro than it is
here; remember when England, France, etc pretty much shut down
for a week because truckers were on strike?  They were not
protesting dirty rest stops.  More like astronomical fuel taxes and fuel
prices.

Brett