LAS VEGAS -- "Diesel fuel is currently available at more than 50% of all service stations in the U.S. and this number is increasing every week," said Allen Schaeffer, the executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum, at the 2014 NACS Show in Las Vegas, representing the diesel industry at the Future of Fuels Showcase. "We hope that the consistent growth in the clean diesel vehicle market will encourage even more convenience stores to add diesel pumps to their fueling stations."
The showcase is highlighting advanced clean diesel passenger vehicles and is showcasing the new 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel pickup truck with the highest estimated EPA highway fuel economy of all light-duty pickups at 28 mpg.
According to NACS' "Future of Fuels 2014" report, which analyzed how the U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) projections for the energy markets through 2040 would affect the retail fuels market, "Gasoline gallons consumed will decline by 24%, while diesel fuel gallons will increase 26% and E85 will expand more than 2,200%. Consequently, gasoline's share of the liquid fuels market is forecast to drop from 71.56% to 59.12%, while diesel will expand from 28.36% to 38.84% and E85 will increase from 0.08% to 2.04%."
According to data compiled by IHS Automotive for the Forum, registrations for diesel cars, SUVs, pickup trucks and vans increased by 30% from 2010 through 2013. In 2013, diesel vehicle registrations increased by 410,040 nationally.
"Diesel cars and SUVs are emerging in the U.S. market," Schaeffer said. "While diesels account for about 50% of all auto sales in Europe, diesels are a more modest three percent in the U.S. But clean diesel vehicles sales are ready to increase as evidenced by the number of clean diesel models being introduced in the U.S. market. We anticipate some 60 diesel models will be available by 2017. Steady growth of diesel sales in the U.S. market could make up 10% of all vehicles by 2020 as Americans learn more about the proven real world fuel efficiency benefits and long term value of the new clean diesel technology."
"Clean diesel technology is likely to continue to grow in the U.S. based on consumer acceptance of diesel as a clean and proven high-fuel economy choice," Schaeffer said. "Diesels are about 30% more fuel efficient than gasoline vehicles and do not require compromises in vehicle performance, driving patterns or vehicle utility.
"Clean diesels also deliver a lower total-cost-of-ownership compared to other fuel-efficient technologies. The increasing number of diesel offerings from manufacturers reflects their confidence in the technology and its importance as they select fuel-efficient strategies to meet the 2025 higher fuel economy requirements," Schaeffer said.
The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit national organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel and technology and working with policymakers and other stakeholders on common solutions.
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