U.S. and European automakers demonstrated the latest in clean diesel technology today during a Clean Diesel Drive at the Bayside Expo Center in Boston. The event, hosted by the Diesel Technology Forum, showcased more than a dozen clean diesel production and prototype vehicles with advanced engine technology not seen before in the United States.

"We want Massachusetts lawmakers and other government officials to experience first-hand how powerful, quiet, clean and fun to drive a modern diesel vehicle can be," said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum. "Today's clean diesel technology has made tremendous progress."

In addition to its many performance and durability attributes, advanced diesel cars, pickups and SUVs hold great promise for helping the United States achieve its energy and environmental goals:

• Conserve Fuel -- Diesel-powered cars achieve 20 to 40 percent better fuel economy than gasoline-powered equivalents. Four to seven of the most fuel-efficient vehicles sold in the United States are diesel-powered, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
• Improve Energy Security -- A 30 percent penetration of clean diesel technology in the U.S. passenger vehicle market by 2020 would reduce net crude oil imports by 350, 000 barrels per day, according to the U.S. DOE. Such a reduction is equivalent to approximately half the total energy used each day in California.
• Reduce Greenhouse Gases -- Because diesel engines are inherently more fuel efficient, they emit 20 to 40 percent fewer greenhouse gases than comparable gasoline engines -- an important fact for those concerned about global warming.

"Diesel engines are a proven, efficient and readily-available technology that can reduce fuel consumption and improve our energy security," added Schaeffer. "And thanks to cleaner-burning engines, lower-sulfur fuel, and better emissions control technology, diesel is on a path of continuous environmental improvement. State-of-the-art diesel cars, pickups and SUVs emit virtually no visible tailpipe exhaust."

Diesel now accounts for more than one-third of all new vehicles sales in Europe. In the luxury and premium sectors, high-performance diesel engines make up more than 70 percent of all new European sales. With major European and American auto manufacturers already planning diesel introductions of popular models into the U.S. market as early as next year, many predict that diesel is poised to make a comeback in the United States.

The event was co-hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in conjunction with the 2003 Diesel Engine Emission Reduction workshop in Newport, Rhode Island, August 24-28.

The Diesel Technology Forum represents manufacturers of engines, fuel and emissions control systems. It brings together the diesel industry, the broad diesel user community, civic and public interest leaders, government regulators, academics, scientists, the petroleum industry and public health researches to encourage the exchange of information, ideas, scientific findings and points-of-view to current and future uses of diesel power technology. For more information about the Forum, visit our web site at www.dieselforum.org.

Source: Diesel Technology Forum