Diesel Powers Four of the Top Ten Most Fuel-Efficient Vehicles in Annual Government Rankings

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 -- A new government report highlights the potential for clean diesel to help meet the nation's growing energy and environmental demands, according to the Diesel Technology Forum. In their annual fuel economy rankings for the new model year to be released tomorrow, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Protection Agency find that four of the top ten most fuel-efficient vehicles are diesel-powered. "Every year, this report brings much needed attention to the energy efficiency of diesel technology," said Allen Schaeffer, the Forum's executive director. "These rankings underscore the role advanced clean diesel cars, trucks and SUVs could play in improving U.S. fuel economy and energy security." Diesel-powered passenger vehicles range from 20 to 40 percent more fuel- efficient than similar sized gas-powered vehicles. Some diesel cars in Europe can attain up to 78 miles per gallon, thanks in part to developments in diesel fuel injection systems. Today's diesels have also made tremendous advances in exhaust controls and after-treatment technology leading to lower emissions. "Aside from their superior fuel efficiency, state-of-the-art diesel vehicles are clean, quiet and fun to drive," continued Schaeffer. "Even the chairman of the California Air Resources Board -- one of the most aggressive environmental regulatory agencies in the world -- now sees clean diesel playing a leading role in meeting the state's long-term energy and environmental goals." According to a recent study, advanced clean diesel engines already account for about one-third of all vehicles in Europe. In some European countries, diesel cars have over 50 percent of the total market share and upwards of 60 percent of new car sales. The report -- "Demand for Diesels: The European Experience" -- is available for download on http://www.dieselforum.org . Gradually increasing Americans' use of currently available clean diesel technologies in cars, trucks and SUVs to levels seen today in Europe would reduce net crude oil imports by 350,000 barrels per day by 2020, according to the DOE. The Diesel Technology Forum brings together the diesel industry, the broad diesel user community, civic and public interest leaders, government regulators, academics, scientists, the petroleum refining industry, and public health researchers, to encourage the exchange of information, ideas, scientific findings, and points-of-view related to current and future use of the new advanced clean diesel power technology.