Clean Diesel: No Longer an Oxymoron Argonne National Laboratory Brings Diesel into Focus

By Larry Nutson
Senior Editor, Chicago Bureau
The Auto Channel

Chicago, IL August 20, 2010 – From virtually every news source all we hear is that electric cars will be in everyone’s future. Well, not so fast! Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Argonne National Laboratory Center for Transportation Research have been doing exciting work involving clean diesel technology and fuels, plus other activities focused on advanced and efficient power trains.

Located 30 miles outside of Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology. Don Hillebrand, director of transportation research at Argonne says "We're professional skeptics of the tech world. We are unbiased referees.”

The advent of low sulfur diesel fuel is the enabling technology for Clean Diesel today. From 1988 to 2010 there has been a 99% reduction in oxides of nitrogen and a 98% reduction in particulate matter from diesel. Diesel engines offer 20% to 30% better fuel economy over gasoline, they are longer lasting and, with today’s technology, fun to drive.

“The growing importance of clean diesel vehicles in the U.S. is clear,” says Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com. “In an era where exotic and expensive technologies are often discussed as exclusive answers to our transportation challenges, today’s modern diesel technology can bring an average 25 percent reduction in CO2 emissions and 30 percent better fuel efficiency now, at reasonable cost and proven durability.”

The change to any new or different car or truck engine and fuel needs to be a seamless transition to the consumer. Consumers need to think of miles per dollar (mi/$) and not just miles per gallon (mpg) in their vehicle purchase decision.

Audi, Volkswagen, and Bosch participated in the Green Car of the Year Tour™ activities at Argonne. This initial Green Car of the Year Tour™ stop offered the ability to drive some of the most celebrated diesel models in the U.S market. The Audi A3 TDI, Green Car Journal’s 2010 Green Car of the Year®, achieves an EPA estimated 42 mpg highway fuel economy, resulting in reduced petroleum use and significantly lower CO2 greenhouse gas emissions. VW’s Jetta TDI, the 2009 Green Car of the Year®, also achieves an estimated 42 mpg on the highway with its advanced 2.0-liter TDI clean diesel engine.

Audi’s introduction of the TDI to the US market was planned at 10% to 20 % of total sales. The actual volume is 40% to 50% and which demonstrates a definite acceptance by Audi customers who are typically spirited drivers. Proving that clean diesel should be and can be on the same footing as other technologies.

Green Car of the Year Tour™ sponsor Robert Bosch LLC – which has been advancing diesel technology for the past 80 years – manufacturers the common rail piezo injectors, fuel pump, and sophisticated electronic engine controls that help these vehicles achieve their high fuel economy and low emissions, while also meeting 50-state emissions certification.

Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology. The nation's first national laboratory, Argonne conducts leading-edge basic and applied scientific research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne researchers work closely with researchers from hundreds of companies, universities, and federal, state, and municipal agencies to help them solve their specific problems, advance America's scientific leadership, and prepare the nation for a better future. With employees from more than 60 nations, Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.