Diesel Fuel

[adrianspeeder]

In the United States, oil companys sell high sulfur diesel fuel. I know that in Europe oil companys are forced to sell low or no sulfur diesel fuel, and I know that about 40 to 50% of passenger cars in Europe are diesel powered. I would like to know why low sulfur diesel fuel isn't sold in the US? Also, what type of diesel fuel is sold in Canada?
I feel this is important because emmisions from diesel engines that burn low sulfur diesel fuel are even cleaner than gas engines.
Obviously, railroads use huge amounts of diesel, and if they are burning diesel with a high sulfur content are making a significant amount of pollution, so are all the tractor trailers and people with diesel pickups, myself being an owner of a diesel pickup.
Anybody have any thoughts?

Adrianspeeder

[wabash1]

the low sulfer diesel was interduced into america in 1993 and in doing so just minor things was changed on the engines. also looking at the color of fuel will tell you if you bought highway fuel or off road fuel. or heating fuel. the colors slip my mind but i think it is red dye added to highway fuel. and if checked at the wieght station with any color other than that you will pay a large fine.

[Anonymous]

You are dead right Wabash. The red is non taxed (highway/road taxes) off hiway diesel. I think that in Colorado the fine for burning off hiway diesel is $1000.00 or $100.00 per gallon, whichever is greater.
Ken

[jchnhtfd]

Low sulphur diesel (and other fuel oils) is sold in the US. No problem to get -- and in some areas, the only thing you can get. The only problem with the stuff (other than some difficulties with exhaust valves in older engines) is that it is considerably more expensive, since either the sulphur has to removed in the refining process, or low-sulphur feedstock has to be used. Whether the local regs. say you have to use it or not depends on the local air quality and how fanatical the local greens are.

Money talks...

[TH&B]

High sulpher fuel keeps fuel prices down. (and emissions up)

[kevarc]

We looked into buying low Sulphur diesel for our generators. The cost killed that idea in a heartbeat.

[adrianspeeder]

It is all high sulfur diesel fuel in my area, and is about a buck fifty a gallon. What does low sulfur cost?

Adrianspeeder

[kevarc]

IIRC, it was a about a nickel more a gallon. May not seem like much, but it adds up in a hurry.