Automotive Diesel Engines

The prime advantage of the diesel engine is fuel economy. The average diesel powered road transport vehicle will return better than 33% improved fuel economy over an equivalent gasoline powered truck. This, coupled with greater reliability, is the main attraction for the compression ignition engine. The economies vary according to the fuel taxation policies of various countries. Even where the cost of diesel fuel is almost identical to that of gasoline, there is still substantial cost saving to be made in operating diesel powered trucks. Typical performance curves are shown in Fig.1. An additional advantage is the reduced fire risk, not only to the vehicle itself but to fuel storage facilities at truck depots where the precautions necessary are not so stringent as those for storing gasoline.