Clean Diesel

Diesel is a petroleum-based fuel that also has a very high energy content. This has, in and of itself, historically helped Diesel get better than average MPH ratings over its petrol counterparts. Today's Diesel vehicle emissions are near zero owing to the development of more efficient engines, better emission control technologies and the availability of ultra-low sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuels. Refiners are now able to reduce the sulfur content in Diesel fuel by 97 percent. The ultra-clean fuel solves issues related to exhaust-control devices that are hindered by the presence of sulfur in the fuel.

Diesel is also the most efficient internal combustion engine in the world. The combustion process employed by a Diesel engine (described above) produces a tremendous amount of power owing to its ability to make the fuel spontaneously combust upon introduction into the cylinder. Modern computer-controlled and regulated combustion and emissions systems also lend to the overall efficiency and clean-running of the Diesel engine. Particulate traps and catalytic converters also aid in the process by removing foreign particles from the fuel and converting emissions into non-harmful substances.

Clean Diesel On the Road

The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta employs TDI Clean Diesel. Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) is the process used in these and other new cars allowing them to use clean Diesel fuels to operate at near zero emissions. From Volkswagen's website: “TDI vehicles use clean diesel fuel and advanced engineering to achieve up to 43 miles per gallon with a range of up to 795 miles.2 That's up to 30% better fuel economy than comparable gas engines.” TDI is also available in the Volkswagen Passat as well as five models from Audi: the A8, A7, A6, Q5 and Q7.

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