When people think of fuel for their cars, they generally think of gas or electric power. Yet from highways to construction sites, diesel engines power much of the world.
“Diesel engines are great, both in how they look and sound. They are necessary for society because they can tow and haul more for longer distances than anything else,” said sophomore Caleb Bent.
The topic of diesel has been controversial in recent years, with some wanting to get rid of it as they believe it will make the environment cleaner. Despite the increase in biofuels, however, diesel fuel still plays a crucial role in the modern transportation system and economy, making it an important energy source.
“In order to operate truck systems, you need diesel for certain vehicles. You can’t make an electric eighteen-wheeler that will compete with a diesel truck,” said FCHS senior Gracie Bossieu.
Diesel motors are more fuel efficient than gasoline engines, which allows them to travel farther with the same amount of fuel. The fuel also lasts longer than an electric car’s battery. The efficiency of diesel can be beneficial to off-highway vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles, such as eighteen-wheelers, excavators, and cranes, which are used for long periods of time during each use. Most commercial applications use diesel because of the required longevity and consistent performance needed by industries.
Along with its efficiency for longevity, it powers many different kinds of important machinery in various industries. Many, if not all, construction, agriculture, and mining industries need their machinery to be very powerful to work effectively, and the power that comes from diesel is unmatched by gasoline and electric motors.
For example, the new Tesla eighteen-wheeler comes with a tri-motor and has an estimated 1,000 horsepower, 1,050 foot-pounds of torque, yet can only go 500 miles with a fully-charged battery. Compare that to the diesel-powered Freightliner, which has one motor with 600 horsepower, 1,890 foot-pounds of torque, and a 1,000-2,000-mile range with a full tank. So, even though the diesel engine has less horsepower, it has more torque, which allows it to pull more weight for longer distances.
Finally, diesel engines have evolved to run with cleaner emissions than in the past. Modern diesel motors come with advanced emission control systems such as selective catalytic reduction (SCR), diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). SCR injects DEF, a reducing agent, into the stream of the exhaust in the catalyst and turns the harmful nitrogen oxides into water. An EGR recirculates the exhaust back into the combustion chamber, which dilutes the oxygen and reduces combustion temperatures. This leads to fewer emissions. Both of these technological control systems must meet rigorous emissions standards.
Diesel appears likely to continue to be a vital part of modern infrastructure. The efficiency and reliability make it a necessity in multiple industries. Until scientists develop more sustainable fuels, diesel’s place in the energy industry appears likely to stay.
