There is no doubt that hybrid cars can produce unbelievable fuel ratings but given it is expensive and still not mainstream, we should have a 2nd look at the new diesel engine. The new diesel engine has been used successfully in Europe where usage accounts to more than 50% of cars sold. Unlike the old diesel engines sold in the 80s in North America, this engine is clean, quiet and powerful. It also boasts of 30%-40% better fuel rating than the conventional gas engine without sacrificing our health and environment.

Because diesel engine has 3-4 times more energy per pound than gas engines, it produces excellent power and has great potential in saving fuel. This is why; it can give steady torque and pulling capacity chosen by smart drivers when it is compared to hybrid engines. Even when hybrid engines have higher fuel mileage ratings, the strong pulling power produced by diesel engine cannot be ignored. In the last few years, the fuel mileage ratings of diesel engine are also catching up to hybrid engines. In a diesel car shown in Germany in 2006, it has a fuel rating of 157 mpg and has a capacity of 4 passengers.

The diesel engine that was mass produced in the 70s as a result of the oil crisis has left many buyers wary. It’s because the engine was loud and had many pollutants including the common complaint of poor acceleration. Using fuel injection used on trucks, it was a disaster when used on cars. It consisted of a single fuel mechanical distributor mounted at the front of the engine. From there, fuel was routed to each cylinder which is hard to control. This resulted in over fueling that produce lots of unburned gases and detonation. Furthermore, the engine was hard to start in winter unless it was plugged in overnight.

The advancement in electronic fuel injection used on gas engine gave diesel engine a new life. This was also combined with improvements made in turbo charger technology where the exhaust pressure was boosted in lower engine rpm. The effect was almost a miracle because the new diesel engine is now clean and powerful that can be accelerated in various rpm range. The main design adapted is the common rail fuel distribution system which uses an injector solenoid on each cylinder. When controlled by a computer, the fuel timing is better managed because each load of the engine is monitored. The acceleration therefore, was more responsive to the engine loads.

The latest obstacle of this new diesel engine is the higher emission standard required by the government. The reduction of particulate matters (PM) and nitrogen oxides are the main reasons. PM is a small carbon like black particles emitted with exhaust gasses during combustion. When inhaled through our lungs, it a danger to our health. Nitrogen oxides when accumulated in the atmosphere can produce acid rain. When compared to gas engines however, the new diesel engine does not produce the main pollutants gas engines have like carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (C02) and other dangerous hydro carbon (CH).


Extensive research has shown that both issues are being resolved. PM reduction was controlled using dual air filter system in the engine to collect it. This was later re-cycled to the engine for consumption. A 3 way catalytic (CAT) converter was implemented to manage nitrogen oxides so the combustion temperature can be lowered inside the CAT. This facilitates complete burning of the poisonous gases before being release from the tail pipe. These accomplishments; when compared to hybrid engines made it a clean burning engine without the expensive cost. Finally, in recent tests conducted on some European diesel cars, it showed exceptional fuel mileage ratings which is getting close to hybrid engines.

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Mr. Richard Trent is a regular contributor of articles for DIY ezines. He also owned about a dozen websites designed to help drivers beat outrageous auto repair costs. To see a video on how you can save money on auto repair, please visit: http://go2-url.com/arxezd