Small Diesel Cars - Are they better for the environment?

Question

I have been looking into them. I see there are several produced in Europe that seem to get great mileage. Looks like better than 45MPG. In the US I can only find VW and Mercedes, which don't get very high mileage (about 35MPG).

Answer 1

Yes

Diesel is a more carbon-intensive fuel (more CO2 per unit of fuel) but uses by far less fuel... so that the balance is largely positive.
Moreover, diesel is more likely to accept biofuels close to vegetal oils.
The problem of low pick up for diesel engines has been largely reduced by the use of direct injection and is widespread among now all manufacturers.
Regarding the particular emissions (soot), Peugeot has developped an electro-filter which captures them. Other future technologies include their micro-wave destruction.

Some of the best diesel motors are produced by:

Volkswagen-Seat-Skoda-Audi
Peugeot (which sells them to Ford)

NB: A small car is better for the environment since it uses less gas AND less steel to produce. No need to move over two tonnes for one single passenger !

Answer 2

Well, that's a tricky question.
In some senses yes and some no. Diesel is a more efficient fuel than gasoline Diesel has more energy in it so if you burnt one once of diesel and burn one once of gasoline, the diesel would have a much bigger explosion due to having a more complex molecule. But diesel is more toxic. A small diesel may emit less exhaust than a gasoline but the exhaust would be more harmful to humans. As far as greenhouse gases the SMALL diesel would be a little less emitting of than the gasoline.
On the whole, I would say that they are not better for the environment due to causing local pollution. If you care about the environment, buy a hybrid, they get just as good(if not better) gas mileage than a diesel without all of the nasty pollutants

Answer 3

Knew a guy who had a vw pickup, diesel,, and he got 50mpg with it, and it was an OLDER, like mid to late 80's model. You want to help the environment, get a moped for short hops, and solo trips that don't require hauling stuff around. That will help much, and get you great mileage. Or a small displacement motorcycle, 250 cc or less, will give you great mileage, too. Wanna really help the environment? Get and use a bicycle, the pedal variety.

Answer 4

Good answer from Nickel.

Overall diesels produce about 70% the greenhouse gas emissions that gasoline engines do. They have 20-40% better fuel economy but 15% more greenhouse gas emissions per volume. Diesel used to have a large amount of sulfur emissions, but the widespread use of ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) has essentially eliminated this problem. Plus as mentioned above, you can become even more environmentally friendly by using biodiesel, which requires a minor modification if any.

Answer 5

Yes, diesel cars get better mileage, so they make less CO2 than similar cars burning gasoline. But diesel makes more of other kinds of pollution. Traditional pollution. Smog pollution. But they do make less CO2 and so contribute less to global warming. A diesel-electric hybrid would be even better. Railroad locomotives are diesel-electric, but usually without the battery that would make it like a hybrid.

Answer 6

you may want to re-check VW. my father commuted in a VW Jetta diesel, and he got about 45mpg with an automatic, I think the 5 spd will get closer to 50mpg. his was like a2000 model or so... this was highway miles, but i don't think you will lose 10-15 for city driving...

Answer 7

you have taken a right decission going for small diesal car is really go as small diesal cars emit less polutanta & give a beter milage than petrol cars

Answer 8

yes, they have better travel milage and they won't waste gas or use it up easily, big cars use too much diesel and waste it on speeding.