Capitol Hill Briefing Highlights Benefits of New Diesel Technology

Strategic Insights -

Clean diesel vehicles can play a key role in achieving efficiency and environmental gains in the US, according to an industry panel on Capitol Hill. The panel, hosted by the Diesel Technology Forum and the U.S. Coalition for Advanced Diesel Cars, highlighted the benefits of new diesel technology, including improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and increased performance. The briefing, entitled "Driving the Future: Technologies are ready to meet future fuel economy and clean air goals; what about policies?", emphasized the need for government policies to support the development and adoption of clean diesel technology.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Diesel Technology Forum and the U.S. Coalition for Advanced Diesel Cars hosted a Congressional briefing on Capitol Hill to discuss the benefits of new diesel technology.
  • Advanced clean diesel vehicles have achieved a 97% reduction in sulfur in diesel fuel and more than 98% reductions in particulate matter and NOx.
  • Clean diesels provide great performance, are renewable fuel ready, and are available to the American public right now.
  • The diesel market is expected to grow from 3% to 10% by 2020, with clean diesels having a growing interest from manufacturers and consumers.
  • New diesel vehicles available today are "clean, efficient, and powerful" with 20-40% better fuel efficiency than gasoline vehicles.
  • The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel, and technology.
  • Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum, emphasized that clean diesel is not a "bridge" concept or "down-the-road" expectation, but rather a reality available to the public right now.
  • Michael J. Ruth of Cummins Inc. highlighted the fact that new diesel vehicles are clean, efficient, and powerful, with the potential for near-zero emissions.
  • Douglas Skorupski of Volkswagen of America, Inc. noted that Volkswagen is the leader in U.S. diesel car sales, with significant sales increases in four of the last five years.
  • The "real world" driving experience of diesels includes an analysis of self-reported fuel economy, which demonstrated a majority of diesel users reporting fuel economy above the mileage on EPA window stickers.
  • Jeffrey Breneman, Executive Director of the U.S. Coalition for Advanced Diesel Cars, outlined the numerous "green awards" diesel cars and pickup trucks have won, including the Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel being named "2015 Green SUV of the Year" by Green Car Journal.

Statistics:

  • 97% reduction in sulfur in diesel fuel
  • More than 98% reductions in particulate matter and NOx
  • 20-40% better fuel efficiency than gasoline vehicles
  • 3% market share of diesel vehicles in the US, expected to grow to 10% by 2020
  • 7 million diesel cars and light trucks on the road today
  • 24.4 cents per gallon federal fuel tax for diesel, compared to 18.4 cents per gallon for gasoline
  • 70% market share of diesel car sales in the US for Volkswagen

Sources:

  • Diesel Technology Forum
  • U.S. Coalition for Advanced Diesel Cars
  • PRNewswire-USNewswire
  • Diesel Technology Forum (press release online)