Why are Diesel Users Screwed?

Diesel engines still have the advantage over gasoline engines for torque and pulling power, but the savings in MPG is just about nil since diesel fuel in this country is priced much higher than unleaded gasoline, and to ad insult to injury, many new diesel engines now require the use of urea based Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) to meet federal and state exhaust emission standards.

That's why I decided against buying a diesel engine in my new 3/4 ton pickup. By the time I figure in all the expenses, it costs about the same per mile to drive my gasoline fueled truck as it would a diesel and the gasoline truck costs less to maintain.

The United States is and always has been a dead market for diesel fueled cars; they have a bad reputation for refinement, torque and reliability in the U.S. which is well founded in history but nowadays (especially when buying a diesel powered Mercedes Benz, BMW, Range Rover, Jaguar or Audi) is merely an unfounded fear. Most European markets are mainly diesel for private cars now, and even the European market that was most reticent about them (the U.K.) has taken them as normal now. Some manufacturers (ironically including all of the U.S. ones) only sell diesel cars in Europe (you can only buy diesel Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler and most Chevrolets are diesel). Increasing diesel prices are making the savings made with increased fuel efficiency a bit meaningless now though.

After crunching numbers the diesel engines still provide better fuel cost per mile than gasoline engines... although the price of diesel is higher than gas the mileage is 30-50% higher than gas powered car/trucks. Diesels provide more torque which translate to more pulling power; less maintence compared to gasoling engine; better mileage; longer life up to and sometimes over 400,000 miles before any diesel engine repair should be required