Why Do Americans Shy Away From Buying Diesel Vehicles?
The battle between petrol and diesel has raged for years, with both offering several advantages. Whilst diesel is more efficient, petrol is cheaper. Some certain SUV’s and 4x4’s can get upwards of 800km ranges. “If you need an SUV to haul your kids and dogs around, or you want to tow a little boat or trailer, that’s a great choice” – says Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the DTF.
On the contrary, diesels produce more nitrogen oxide which sparked the blame for the Paris air pollution troubles. With the engines costing more from factory than a petrol engine it’s still a very even balance when it comes to planning which car you want.
Research suggests the real answer is the taxing of the fuels. In 90’s Europe petrol was being continuously taxed in an effort to reduce emissions, which lead to subsidisation on diesel technology. Dealers were popping up specialising in 4x4’s and Diesels. Growing at substantial rates, large European companies like Saxton 4x4 helped get some specialist diesels into the U.S as well.
But as the title proposed, over the pond in the U.S petrol was not hit with huge taxes, diesel failed to really take off. Especially after the Oldsmobile series of diesels was rushed to market by General Motors in the 70’s and 80’s. These cars we released and performed with disastrous results. This is suggested to have tainted the idea of diesels in the U.S. This opened the gates to the decades old reputation of diesels being “dirty”.
The American outlook on diesels is changing. With modern manufacturing changing the reliability, results and overall “cleanliness” of diesels, customers are now starting to focus on the positives. The range you get from a single tank, the extra pulling power from the torque heavy diesel engines.