Why don't Americans drive diesel cars?

Question

Can you even buy diesel cars in America?

I thought deisel cars were less polluting than petrol as you get about 60Mpg on the latest models and they are quite quick aswell, as they are all Turbos nowadays.

Answer 1

Its a complicated issue.

The main reason is that historically petrol (gas) has been much cheaper there than in Europe, so there was little demand for more fuel-efficient cars.

Additionally, as Americans generally drive big cars, if they want to save on fuel they can easily just buy a smaller car. in Europe we don't buy such large cars, so down-sizing isn't an option for many.

During the fuel crisis of the 1970s, Cadillac developed a diesel version of one of their petrol engines. This engine was sluggish, dirty and unreliable, and gave diesel cars a bad reputation that still sticks today.

Then there is the fuel issue. Some manufacturers (Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Jeep) were selling diesel cars in some states last year, but have had to drop them this year because new emissions regulations have come into force that cannot be met unless ultra-low sulphur fuel is used. But regulations forcing fuel companies to provide ultra-low-sulphur fuel don't come into force until next year. So diesel cars were available last year, and will be available next year, but aren't this year.

Also, Toyota have been pushing hybrid technology (e.g the Prius) as the best means to reduce fuel consumption, and as Toyota are actually the biggest seller of cars (excluding SUVs, Minivans or MPVs and pick-ups) the public has picked up that message. In Europe Toyota isn't quite such a big player, and the diesel car is well established, so the hybrid is currently a curiosity and will remain so until mated with a diesel engine for really high efficiency (which isn't as easy, due to the additional loads of starting a diesel engine).

Answer 2

Cheap gas, GM had some diesel cars in the 70/80s but they were a bit of a disaster. But things are changing now, they're realising they are dependant on people who don't like them! So now diesels and other efficient cars are starting to become more popular.

Answer 3

Yes you can buy diesel cars in the USA but why would you want to look how cheap petrol is and as Jeremy Clarkson says if you buy a diesel car it just makes you look like a cheap skate.

Answer 4

In some states the sale of diesel-powered passenger cars is illegal due to the high-sulfur content of the diesel fuel sold in the U.S. This does not apply to diesel powered pick-up trucks, vans, commercial or agricultural vehicles.

Answer 5

the cost of diesel & petrol is almost the same. if some one is using it only for the cars then they can use petrol & if one requires his vehicle to be more powerfull then switch over th diesel type of engines.

Answer 6

In about a year, we will have low sulfer diesel. Simultaineously, automakers will be rolling out the turbodiesel engines.

Right now, we have high sulfer fuel and diesels are dirty.

I'm looking forward to a turbodiesel jeep 4 door!

Answer 7

Yes you can buy diesel cars, they are just not nearly as common. They pollute more and America already has more car than any other country.

Answer 8

When petrol is as cheap as it is in the US of A why would you want to buy a diesel?

Answer 9

America claims diesel cars pollute too much although in reality with today's technology they pollute lesser than America's petroleum cars..

Answer 10

In a modest way they do, and now they are testing bio diesel
(diesel extracted from seed). Also alcohol which is fermented
from soybeans, maize and all subsidised.