Posted on 06/28/2013 5:26:37 AM PDT by thackney
It costs less to own a diesel vehicle than a gasoline-powered one, according to a study that looked at new car prices, fuel economy and resale values.
Owners of diesel vehicles saved average of $6,000 compared with the cost of owning similar gasoline-powered cars over a five year period, according to the study from the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.
The results were released Thursday at the 2013 Alternative Clean Transportation Expo in Washington D.C., according to the Diesel Technology Forum, an advocacy group that celebrated the study.
The main savings came from resale values and fuel costs, according to the study, which also considered repairs, insurance and maintenance expenses.
These new findings that clean diesel vehicles are a more cost-effective investment for car owners reinforces what auto analysts and other comparative studies have determined in recent years, Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum, said in a statement.
Though a gallon of diesel is currently more expensive than gasoline, at about $3.83 nationally, diesel vehicles are far more fuel efficient, on average.
Diesel versions of popular cars are typically more expensive than their gasoline counterparts, but also hold their resale values better, according to the study.
The study also showed that diesel vehicle owners saved an average of $2,000 on vehicle costs over a three year period.
There were also some extremes in savings. On the low end, a Dodge Ram 2500 owner saved $67 in total costs for the diesel version compared with a gasoline version over five years. On the high end, a Mercedes-Benz GL Class diesel resulted in a savings of $15,619 compared with a gasoline version of the car over five years.
Diesel engines held a large edge over gasoline engines in terms of fuel efficiency, with several models showing more than 30-percent advantages in mileage per gallon.
Thanks for that link.
I certainly agree it is going to vary by vehicle choice. Some will save money, some will not. And depending on how driven and how long by the individual, the choices may change.
From your link:
The only commercial vehicle to make the cut is the Ford F-350. The heavy-duty, full-size pickup truck is a popular choice for contractors and others who need its hauling and towing brawn.
I wish I could find all they compared. I looked to the source of the study:
http://www.vincentric.com/Home/AboutUs/Newsroom/PressReleases/PRDieselAnalysisAug2012.aspx
The Vincentric 2012 Diesel Analysis determined that of 23 diesels measured, only nine had total cost-of-ownership that was lower than their all-gasoline powered counterparts, despite lower fuel costs for all of the diesels.
- - - - - - - -
My plan to replace my truck (2007 GMC, V6 gasoline), when I do replace it is the Ford 250 diesel. My needs for towing have increased.
fascinating. how do you make the fuel?
Thanks to the EPA with the Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel. Don't worry though, they are going to fix that problem. The EPA is going to apply similar requirements to gasoline, so it will get a similar bump in price.
EPA proposes Tier 3 vehicle emission, gasoline sulfur limits
http://www.ogj.com/articles/2013/05/epa-proposes-tier-3-vehicle-emission--gasoline-sulfur-limits.html
05/22/2013
**But if you are one of the outliers, you are really hosed.**
Same holds true on a gasser, if it needs work, you are hosed.
“WOW! One of those Olds is still alive? Amazing.
Instead of a speedometer they give you a calendar.
Back in the 90’s, Chuck Harter used to tout the benefits of diesel vehicles on his radio show. In between talking about black helicopters and Project HAARP. I think he was heading down the road of “there aren’t many diesel cars because of a conspiracy”. But the people he had on pretty much gave all of this same info.
large trucks don’t use gas engines mainly because of fuel use and lack of torque. diesels are torque monsters.
Yep. :D
I’d own one if the fuel taxes on diesel weren’t so outrageous.
So you got that one 5.7 that the time bomb did not go off in.
The Olds 5.7 diesel (converted from a gas engine) was one of the reasons the diesel engine vanished from US built cars for as long as it did.
You "do" pay the state taxes on that biodiesel, right???
In most states, even if you make your own vehicular fuel, the state will tax it.
Enlighten me. What "is" a "diesel particulate filter"?? Never owned a diesel, and never heard the term before.
I read an article that the reason the engines got a bad reputation is because the components were very similar to the gasoline engine's, but different (e.g, reinforced) and when mechanics were working on them they, being ignorant (or perhaps wanting to shave a few dollars off parts-costs) used the gasoline engine's parts.
If that's the case then I cannot fault the engine itself. (But perhaps GM should have publicized the differences a bit more.)
I've had one..and only one...experience with *real* cold.The facts...central Quebec (well north of Montreal),January 2011.Spent a night in a small town there.The forecast was for *really* cold temps that night.Arrived in town at about 6PM with my diesel's tank just about empty.Went to a nearby Shell station to fill up (filled to the top).Shut the car down for the night at about 6:30,the temperature reading on my dash was -10F.Fourteen hours later,temp -31F,my diesel started like a champ.No heaters,no boosters,no garage.Just a tankfull of "local" diesel.
I kid you not.I must admit that I was stunned by how easily it started and I'll admit that for the first 20 miles or so the car ran like,and felt like,a Mack truck.But my guess is that a gas car would have been the same (although I can't be sure).
We had the same car and besides being uncomfortable on trips ( 3 hour max) it was the most expensive car to maintain we’ve ever owned. Part of that was the unhelpful parasitic service dept and poor reliability. We got but 41mpg on the highway. We dumped it for a grand marquis and will never own another VW.
From what I understand, the low-sulfur requirements is only part of the reason.
Other being that the price of gasoline is affected by changes in demand.
The same is not true of diesel. Because its demand is industry, commerce, transportation and military, its demand does not change but is constant and steady. So the laws of supply and demand don’t affect it like they do gasoline. Supply is limited, demand constant.
No substitute for diesels in large vehicles.
For smaller vehicles, really do research. Maintenance costs are extremely high. There’s a reason most owners get rid of a car before 200,000 miles; they have a lot of annoying small problems. Putting a diesel engine in a vehicle doesn’t make anything else on the car stay in good shape longer.
It's an anti pollution device used on at least some diesels.My understanding is that they're at least partially responsible for the fact that diesels (diesel cars,at least) no longer spew thick black smoke as they once did.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.