Dylan Loh Channel NewsAsia 13 Jan 11;
SINGAPORE: Experts are calling them the most practical solution for "green" motoring today.
Modern diesel-powered vehicles, they say, represent the "bridging technology" that's needed before electric vehicles become commonplace.
It's estimated that if half of all vehicles on Singapore roads had modern diesel engines, 183,000 tonnes less of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, would be emitted each year.
Global Marketing & Sales e-mobility Asia Pacific assistant vice president Alexander Kraus said: "Standard petrol cars, I would say, would need about eight litres of petrol for 100 kilometres.
"And a diesel car can run the same distance with about five litres, or, with the same amount of fuel, like eight litres, you can run up to 140 kilometres".
So with better fuel efficiency and less carbon footprints, why aren't more switching to diesel?
Singapore Environment Council executive director Howard Shaw said: "The general perception is diesel vehicles are still pollutive, and they don't perform as well as petrol-driven vehicles.
"But for modern, clean diesel, that's no longer the case. In fact, consumption for modern clean diesel can improve by as much as 40 per cent compared to petrol".
-CNA/wk
Diesel greener than petrol? Believe it
Dylan Loh Today Online 14 Jan 11;
SINGAPORE - If half of all vehicles on Singapore roads had modern diesel engines, about 183,000 tonnes less carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, would be emitted each year, according to estimates.
That is why experts are calling diesel-powered vehicles the most practical solution for "green" motoring today - the "bridging technology" that's needed before electric vehicles become commonplace.
Driving a diesel-powered vehicle, some say, is like snacking on low-fat potato chips. You can enjoy it with a clear conscience because you know it will not be doing as much damage.
Another benefit is cash savings, since a tank of diesel is likely to take you further than a similar tank of petrol.
Mr Alexander Kraus, assistant vice-president of global marketing and sales of e-mobility Asia-Pacific, said: "Standard petrol cars would need about 8 litres petrol for 100km. A diesel car can run the same distance with about 5 litres. A diesel car, with 8 litres of diesel, can run up to 140km."
So, with better fuel efficiency and a smaller carbon footprint, why aren't more motorists switching to diesel?
The executive director of Singapore Environment Council, Mr Howard Shaw, said: "Mainly it's the higher cost of driving a private diesel vehicle. That policy is something that really should be re-looked."
There is also a perception issue that diesel vehicles are still pollutive and that they do not perform as well as petrol-driven vehicles, he added.
But with modern clean diesel, that is no longer the case. Improved consumption with modern clean diesel can be by as much as 40 per cent compared to petrol, said Mr Shaw.
Still, there is some way to go before people are convinced that diesel power is green power.
