| With gasoline prices continuing to skyrocket | | | | are tired of paying upwards of three dollars |
| at gas pumps across the United States, | | | | per gallon of gasoline to fill up their car's |
| motorists and car manufacturers alike have | | | | gas tank. However, diesel also has its |
| been searching for a new alternative to | | | | downfalls. Environmental studies have shown |
| gasoline powered cars. However, just what | | | | that diesel fuels omit considerably harmful |
| the best alternative really is seems to be a | | | | fumes into the atmosphere. Given recent |
| debate that has been brewing amongst those | | | | environmental concerns, this gives gasoline |
| who are most knowledgeable on the topic. | | | | one up on diesel fueled engines. However, |
| With hybrid cars seeming to gain more and | | | | car consumers will find that these are not |
| more popularity over the past year, some car | | | | the only options. |
| manufacturers are wondering if electric cars | | | | |
| are really the way to go. | | | | Many car manufacturers are now marketing |
| | | | hybrid vehicles. Hybrid vehicles are powered |
| An alternative to both hybrid cars and | | | | by a combination of gasoline and electric |
| typical gasoline powered cars comes in the | | | | power. By combining gasoline with electric |
| form of diesel powered cars. Much cheaper | | | | power, hybrid cars omit considerably less |
| than gasoline, diesel has long provided an | | | | harmful fumes into the atmosphere. In fact, |
| alternative fuel for motorists around the | | | | while running on their electric battery |
| world. However, diesel powered cars have not | | | | power, hybrid cars omit no fumes into the |
| been as successful within the United States. | | | | environment at all. The hybrid presents an |
| This has baffled many car manufacturers for a | | | | alternative that is not only cheaper at the |
| long time, given that diesel cars have been | | | | gas pump, but also more environmentally |
| prevalent in other parts of the world | | | | friendly than gasoline fueled cars. Certain |
| including Europe for the last seven decades. | | | | places in the United States that have been |
| Many consumers assume that diesel is | | | | plagued by heavy pollution, like the state of |
| comparable to gasoline, given that on the | | | | California; have seen a growing trend in the |
| surface it seems the same - after all, you | | | | purchase of hybrid vehicles over regular |
| can pump both diesel and gasoline at your | | | | vehicles. In fact, millions of Americans are |
| local gas station. However, diesel powers | | | | currently living in areas that have poor air |
| cars in a somewhat different way than | | | | quality. Hybrids could provide the beginning |
| gasoline. | | | | of a solution to this problem. Without a |
| | | | doubt hybrid vehicles will provide somewhat |
| While gasoline uses spark plugs to ignite the | | | | of a reprieve from dire air quality. |
| gasoline and produce fuel for the vehicle, | | | | However, the environmental pluses of hybrid |
| diesel powered cars use compressed air. | | | | vehicles do not stop there. |
| Diesel powered driving has long been | | | | |
| associated with the big rigs. Eighteen | | | | After the devastation caused by Hurricane |
| wheelers and other large trucks are fueled by | | | | Katrina at the end of the summer of 2005, |
| diesel for one main reason - the excellent | | | | many people were left wondering what caused |
| gas mileage. Diesel cars are also excellent | | | | such a horrible hurricane season. Many |
| on gas mileage, something that is seemingly | | | | scientists and environmentalists have blamed |
| lacking from standard gasoline powered cars | | | | the increase in major hurricanes in the |
| in the United States. Diesel cars typically | | | | negative affects global warming has had on |
| get between forty and fifty miles per gallon, | | | | the environment. The excessive use of fossil |
| anywhere from twenty to forty percent better | | | | fuels, including gasoline, in our society has |
| than the average gasoline powered car. | | | | caused an extremely detrimental affect on our |
| | | | atmosphere. Hybrid vehicles that use less |
| With regular gasoline prices rising, you have | | | | gasoline and therefore omit less detrimental |
| probably noticed that lower diesel price at | | | | fumes into the atmosphere are perhaps the |
| the gas station while you are filling up your | | | | first step to a cleaner, healthier society |
| tank. Diesel prices do rise when regular | | | | and more breathable air. By providing low |
| gasoline prices rise, but diesel prices are | | | | gas cost and little harm to the environment |
| always lower than gasoline prices. This is | | | | hybrid cars seem to be the newest trend in |
| perhaps one of the most appealing | | | | smart driving. |
| characteristics of diesel for consumers that | | | | |