DIESEL-POWERED VEHICLES the way to go in the short and medium term.

Notwithstanding the recent increase in fuel prices, diesel-powered vehicles are 40 to 50 per cent more economical to operate than comparable gasoline-powered vehicles.

Diesel fuel contains 15 to 20 per cent more energy per unit volume than gasoline.

In miles per gallon and consumption to power the diesel engine comes out tops by far.

Although some environmental concerns have been raised regarding the high sulphur content in locally available diesel, the diesel engine is cleaner because by compression ignition (c.i.) it's able to more completely burn fuel during combustion thus limiting the emission of carbon monoxide and the production of black soot.

Black soot

However, diesel engines can still emit black soot from unburned carbon compounds due to mechanical failure, pump/injector calibration or maintenance related issues.

In Europe where the use of diesel engines in passenger vehicles is increasing rapidly, a common rail turbo charged 1.9 diesel engine using low sulphur "EURO IV" 50 parts per million (ppm) diesel fuel is known to achieve 90 miles per gallon (mpg).

Even if the costs of gasoline and diesel fuel are the same per gallon, the economic advantages still go to diesel.

– LLOYD BRATHWAITE