Reply to post: Diesel != Fossil Oil

The Emissionary Position: screwing the motorist the European way

Anonymous Coward
Anonymous Coward

Diesel != Fossil Oil

if the goal is to encourage engine technologies that are fuel efficient and low in emissions, then surely a level playing field is to be desired. Thus, diesel fuel should cost 11 or 12 per cent more than gasoline, because it contains that much more energy and that much more carbon"

This is only true if you accept that "diesel" is only a product of fossil oil. Which it isn't.

The reason I bought a 20-year old Toyota Hilux, is that it happily runs on converted vegetable oil.

The benefits of this are multiple:

- The engine runs cooler, and bio fuel has self lubricating properties reducing wear and tear. WIN.

- Low NOx emissions. WIN.

- Low particulate emissions. WIN.

- The CO2 output comes from within the carbon cycle, this doesn't add new carbon to the atmosphere. WIN.

- Recycling vegetable oil means it doesn't go into landfill. WIN.

The two FAILs I can see currently:

- The Government refuses to promote biodiesel as a fuel, so you still need to go and seek it out if you want to run your vehicle on alternative fuel.

- Current spec vehicles have been engineered to get the absolute maximum economy out of fossil diesel, so things like the injectors may not play nicely with the different viscosity fuel.

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