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Shedding the bad rap:
Diesel vehicles poised for a comeback in Canada
Tony Whitney
Diesels have a long history and in some parts of the world, outsell gasoline-powered vehicles by quite a margin. In Europe especially, any automaker that doesn't offer a diesel variant in a specific product range is at a distinct disadvantage against competitors. Even Cadillacs, Jaguars and BMWs are available as diesels in Europe.
North American auto buyers have had something of an "on again, off again" relationship with diesels. A few years back, several domestic automakers offered cars with diesel power and there was even a Lincoln with a BMW diesel under its hood.
In recent years, there's been something of a diesel car revival in North America, but available vehicles would be far more numerous if it wasn't for the reluctance of US car buyers to welcome this type of powerplant.
In Europe, diesel-powered vehicles easily outsell gasoline equivalents in some segments, but US progress has been slow. Even so, increasing numbers of models are gradually appearing here, thanks to environmental concerns and economy demands. Some automakers, like Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz, have remained faithful to the diesel cause and have offered products for years. Now, other automakers are starting to following suit.
Of course, diesel power has been popular in pickup trucks for decades, but the serious growth is likely to be in the passenger vehicle area. Today's diesels are top-notch, high-tech machines with only a fraction of the emissions of their ancestors.
Renewable fuel
One of the reasons North Americans have been so slow to embrace diesels has been the old image (well earned, unfortunately) of smelly, smoky, noisy transport trucks; though poor maintenance has often been a factor. In recent years though, diesel technology and fuel quality have both changed dramatically and few drivers getting into a diesel car for the first time are likely to be able to tell it from a gasoline vehicle once behind the wheel.
The extra torque you get with a diesel is always a welcome bonus. The new generation of diesel engines, typified by products from upscale makers like Mercedes-Benz, are sophisticated, quiet and silky smooth.
Recent improvements in diesel fuel have been spearheaded by the introduction of low or ultra-low sulphur content fuels (ULSD). Federal regulations dictated by the fall of 2006, all diesel fuels sold in this country for on-road use had to feature ultra low sulphur content of 15 parts per million (ppm) of sulphur.
Simply put, reducing sulphur content in diesel fuel cuts nitrogen oxide and particulate matter from vehicle emissions. Interestingly, within the European Union, a maximum of 50 ppm of sulphur is permitted right now, but early in 2009, this will drop to just 10 ppm.
In parts of the world where diesel fuel sulphur content is unregulated, there are not only serious emission problems, but also maintenance issues with vehicles using high-sulphur fuel.
In terms of improvements, progress is being made in the development of what's called "SunDiesel," claimed to be the world's first renewable synthetic (biomass-based) diesel fuel. Like other biomass fuels such as ethanol, the product can be manufactured from all kinds of waste material.
SunDiesel reportedly has a much better ignition performance than conventional diesel fuel, has no aromatics or sulfur, and significantly reduces pollutants from exhaust emissions. It can be used without any adjustment to existing infrastructure or engine systems, which should please automakers and fuel retailers. The fuel is largely carbon dioxide-neutral, according to its creator.
Both Volkswagen and Daimler are involved in cooperative efforts with Choren Industries, which developed SunDiesel along with Shell. There's no word yet on when this fuel will be available in Canada (though more conventional biodiesel fuels are being marketed), but it was launched in Europe last year and is produced at a plant in Germany.
In addition, fuel producers have been spending some serious money upgrading and constructing plants to handle demand for the new ultra-low sulphur diesel fuel.
Shell's newest refineries for the product are at its Montreal operation and at the Scotford Refinery near Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. Shell built two diesel hydrotreaters to reduce sulphur in on-road diesel by more than 90 per cent from previous levels. The projects cost Shell more than $400 million and are now online.
"Shell Canada has committed significant financial and human resources to produce ULSD, a commitment which allows us to contribute to improved air quality for all Canadians," said Shell Canada president and CEO Clive Mather.
As with other major fuel suppliers, Shell has been working for years to develop better diesel fuels; products that will once and for all break down the stereotypes people cling to when they think of "oil burning" vehicles.
Diesel revolution
But is there a downside to the lowering of sulphur content in diesel fuels? After all, it must have been serving some kind of purpose when the chemists formulated this fuel in the first place. One minor problem is reducing the sulphur percentage does lessen the energy content of the fuel and as a result, fuel consumption may be slightly higher.
But since diesel engines achieve fuel consumption levels that can be 40 per cent better than those associated with gasoline engines, this loss may be very insignificant, especially when considering the emission benefits. Though diesel fuel is said to produce slightly higher greenhouse gas emissions per litre when matched against gasoline, this is easily offset by the enhanced fuel economy factor.
Fuel developments apart, Canada seems ripe for something approaching a "diesel revolution." Canadian car buyers have always been more open to the notion of diesel passenger vehicles than their counterparts south of the border, so perhaps some of the Japanese nameplate automakers will grasp this and bring us diesel-powered products that are already widely sold around the world.
Most support in Canada for diesel fans seems to have come from Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz, but at least six other automakers from around the world have hinted they have diesels on the way here. It's unfortunate that in Canada, diesel fuel doesn't enjoy the price advantage over gasoline that it does in Europe. Even so, the fuel economy aspect should be incentive enough in the fleet and business fields.
Tony Whitney is an automotive journalist based in Burnaby, BC.
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