If diesel is more envirnmentally acceptable than petrol, why is it more expensive?

Answer 1

I think the only reason that it is more "Environmentally acceptable" is that you get a lot more MPG these days than compared to petrol, it all damages the environment though. It is more expensive because car manufacturers in Europe have picked up on this and are making performance diesels that can actually out-perform their top petrol models, which mean more people are buying oil-burners and the Labour party always want their cut of the tax cash-cow! You still sound like you're a taxi when you pull up anywhere though!

Answer 2

Diesel is usually 2p more expensive than diesel for mainly two reasons, the first is that it is a heavy oil and needs extra refining to enable vehicle's to use it, the second is the government caught onto the fact that more company car drivers where using it in the early nineties (when It was actually cheaper), as it goes further than petrol and decided that they where missing out, It may produce less Co2 when burnt, but it does produce higher quantities of other poisonous gases compared to petrol.

Answer 3

Diesel should not be enviromentally acceptable, I am a mechanic and one of the first things you are taught at college is the dangers of diesel fumes,
The emissions from diesel engines are several times more cancerogenic than those of petrol engines,
The reasons we are all still using Diesel are purely economic, more money in the pockets of the oil companies which actually run the countries of the world.

Answer 4

Diesel isnt more environmentally acceptable, but diesel cars are on often more economical and can drive more mile to the gallon, as for being more expensive its only the last 2 years that has happened it always used to be cheaper. Probably due to all the wars over in the middle east etc.
P.S i want to know where Robin_Baker is from if he's paying less i travel all over the country with my job and diesel is always more expensive

Answer 5

Price is a product of supply and demand. Demand for diesel is higher in some countries than others. The selling price will have little regard on production cocts. Eg.. Diesel is the cheapest fuel in Kenya and yet the most Expensive in Austria

Answer 6

now diesel is in more demand than petrol was say 10yrs ago so it cost's the oil companies more to get more out. I.E. more workers for more 4* petrol but now a higher demand for diesel means the worker's transfer to diesel production and the cost's are also transfered.

Answer 7

Because the government in their wisdom noticed that many car purchasers were moving to diesel because it was cheaper and you got many more miles to the gallon from it. It had nothing to do with being green only that petrol prices were becoming unsustainable to businesses and public alike.

Car manufacturers reacted to demand and made them quieter and faster.

The government reacted to demand and put the duty up on diesel
to make more money.

Dam clever those politicians.

Answer 8

Everywhere i know diesel is cheaper than pertrol. Now in Europe the difference is around max 10% but if you go to developing countries it's 40-50% cheaper than petrol, as the government is heavily subsidising it.
Though diesal is cheaper, it's less efficient than petrol. So diesal run cars are noisier than petrol run ones. Similarly, the manufacturer recommended service period is shorter for diesal run vehicles i.e. more servicing for diesal car.
But diesal is environment friendly true.

Answer 9

Diesel is evey bit as bad as petrol environmentally.I guess its more expensive coz it goes further so you buy less ,but its dirty fuel,so pollutes.The best if you want to be green is the unleaded option!!Cirtainly not diesel ,as its good for your pocket but not the world!

Answer 10

Diesel is more expensive but goes further so ends up being cheaper.Its just as toxic as petrol,not cleaner.