Diesel technology has some inherent advantages in emissions performance, and a combination of technical improvements and regulatory requirements has led to a considerable improvement in diesel emissions levels over the last two decades. For over a century around the world, diesel engines have proved to be a reliable, economical and durable source of power for many applications, from pick-up trucks to railroad locomotives, diesel engines are widely used around the world. Diesel engines operate differently than gasoline or other technologies.
Diesel engines rely on compression rather than a spark to ignite a mixture of air and diesel fuel.
The mixture of air and fuel constantly changes to directly respond to the demands or load placed on an engine. This is why diesel technology is the technology of choice for virtually all commercial applications, because it provides the power necessary to transport heavy shipments by truck, rail, barge or tractor. Commercial applications like highway trucks, locomotives and construction equipment demand performance and a source of power that is efficient, economical, durable and reliable that meets the requirements of the job, whether hauling 80,000 pounds of food through the Rocky Mountains or digging the foundation for a new home. In addition, diesel is a safer fuel than gasoline because it is less volatile, and has a lower flashpoint, making it far less likely to ignite or explode if spilled or released as a result of an accident. These characteristics are the reason why one of the greatest hopes for significant advances in fuel economy in vehicles of the future is the use of next-generation clean diesel engines.