Why don't we export diesel cars from Europe that already go 50 -60 mpg?

Question

Why don't we export diesel cars from Europe that already go 50 -60 mpg?

Answer 1

The US EPA has a different set of criteria than the European equivalent. The US has placed greater importance on low oxides of nitrogen emissions than Europe. Europe had placed greater emphasis on lower CO2 emissions that the US totally ignores as an emission.

Diesels run 'lean'. There is more O2 remaining in the exhaust. This excess O2 can be combined with nitrogen due to the higher compression pressures into NOx. US NOx limit rules have effectively outlawed diesel passenger vehicles.

Now that the US has finally joined the rest of the world in requiring under 50 ppm sulfur fuel, which previously prevented the use of European catalytic converter systems, the urea injection exhaust systems (Blue-tec and others) can be used to break down the diesel NOx and allow the re-introduction of diesel passenger vehicles.

VW is intending to (re-)introduce it's Jetta diesel as a 50 state emission compliant car with the 2009 model being rolled out in Summer 2008.

But don't expect the 50 mpg. Maybe 45.

Answer 2

Good question.  Were already behind Europeans and their 10,000+ mile oil changes.  I use and sell Amsoil synthetic oil and its hard to convince some people that going over 3,000 miles on an oil change is ok.  Of course European oil specs are much more specific; a multi-tiered system rather than the API lowest-common-denominator specs.  Anywho... my website: http://www.number1synthetic.com  Also, not changing your oil as often is better for the environment!

Answer 3

For an answer to this, you need a history lesson.  It is a lesson of corporate greed, liberal greed, and protectionism at it's worst.

In a nutshell, there are laws in the US that are based on these three groups, the corporations, the environmentalists, and the US Government.

The corporations wanted laws that prevented competitions from foreign manufacturers.  The environmentalists, wanting political power, wanted laws that restricted the car manufacturers and gave them some form of power over them.  The Government, being able to control a US manufacturer easier than a foreign one, agreed to pass these laws with their own particular twist to them.

While all of these laws started with the best of intentions, the end result is that Ford Motorcompany makes some of the best diesel engines in the world, but only makes and sells them in Europe.  Some of the safest and most economical cars in the world cannot be sold in the US due to arbitrary standards that are a hodgepodge of essentially 40 year old protectionism rules that are themselves obsolete.  We are finally importing some Japanese trucks that get tremendous fuel mileage running regular gasoline, but they can only be designated as ATVs and used "off road."

The most amazing thing of all is that all of these cars, the high mileage gasoline cars, the high mileage diesel cars, and the high quality cars are already being made by Ford, GM, Chrysler and others.  The very same laws that these companies begged for 40 years ago are now keeping their best products off of the US highways.

Instead of pushing our lawmakers to make new, "pie in the sky" laws in order to demand better cars, we need to push them into repealing the laws that no longer apply to modern production automobiles.

For instance, all these diesel engines put out more pollution per gallon than a gasoline car.  So what?  If the gasoline car gets 20 miles to the gallon and the diesel gets 60 miles to the gallon, then you will find that the the diesel puts out LESS pollution per actual mile of usage.  Isn't less polution better?  Not according to current US requirements for automobiles which measure pollution per gallon, not per mile.

Answer 4

That is the question of the year and the argument is always the same, they don't meet US standards.

Problem is they far exceed US standards in every category and the European cars actually have to be dumbed down to meet US standards.

Best solution, move to Canada and leave the US which is still stuck in the 1970's!

Answer 5

Their cars couldn't pass US (Cali) emissions standards until pretty much 2008 models.  Their cars are smaller  (subcompact) and under powered (around 100 hp) compared to what Americans like.  Usually when European cars are imported to the US we get the most powerful version and still complain that its underpowered.

The EU is focused on CO2 reduction because it makes smog.  The US doesn't like NOx because it makes acid rain.  Gas powered cars tend to make more CO2 and diesel cars tend to make more NOx.  Until we came up with a common plan it was hard for either of us to pass emissions laws in the other place.

Answer 6

First and foremost, most European diesel cars do not meet the more stringent U.S. emission standards, especially with respect to particulates and nitrogen oxides.  Secondly, the best of these engines require a more highly refined diesel oil than has  been available in the U.S. until just recently.  Finally, past attempts to market diesel powered cars in the US have been economic disasters for the car companies, making them very cautious.  They have also left behind some very negative feelings among customers.

Things are changing, however, several of the newer diesel designs have been approved by the US EPA and are actually available for purchase.