When comparing a gas vehicle to a diesel vehicle, diesels use less fuel put pollute more. Which is worse?

Question

What is better for the enviroment? A vehicle that burns a lot of fuel but does not emit much pollution or a vehicle that pollutes a lot and uses little fuel? Thank you.

Answer 1

Just between gasoline and diesel, it's basically a case of pick your poison.  Diesels emit less CO2, but more particulates and nitrogen oxides.

However, diesels also give you the option of using biodiesel.  And clean diesel technology is emerging, although it requires the sacrifice of some of the mileage and CO2 advantage.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/200...

Combine that with the fact that global warming is a bigger problem than those associated with diesel emissions, and I would conclude that gas cars are worse from an environmental standpoint.

Of course, electric cars are better than both.

Answer 2

Obviously a diesel can't burn 100% (stated above) of it's fuel or there would be no exuast. Diesels produce more paricle matter which has health issues

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel#Heal...

Diesel also has a higher carbon content than Gasoline

http://www.epa.gov/oms/climate/420f05001...

Answer 3

It is swings and roundabouts, really, but a diesel is far less polluting than a gasoline vehicle, for the diesel burns 100 percent of its fuel, whereas as gasoline vehicle burns roughly only 92 percent of the fuel, with much noxious gasses from the exhaust.

Kind regards

Dr Antony

Answer 4

These new diesels are cleaner.But better yet is biodiesel,no need for expensive smog parts.