Diesel Expected to Overtake Gasoline as No. 1 Transport Fuel

Registrations of diesel light- and medium-duty vehicles grew 30% in three years; diesel pickup growth fastest in North Dakota, Vermont, Illinois

The only light-duty diesel in a full-size pickup truck, at the moment, is the new 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 in Ram’s 2014 1500. Growth in light-duty diesel power, such as the Duramax diesel expected in GM's mid-sized Colorado and Canyon pickups, will drive growth in diesel consumption.
The only light-duty diesel in a full-size pickup truck, at the moment, is the new 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 in Ram’s 2014 1500. Growth in light-duty diesel power, such as the Duramax diesel expected in GM's mid-sized Colorado and Canyon pickups, will drive growth in diesel consumption.
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The Diesel Technology Forum commissioned R.L. Polk and Company to study vehicle registration data for all 50 states from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013. The goal was to evaluate the trends in clean diesel and hybrid registrations nationwide, to identify geographic and other trends in 2013 and compare to previous years.

Analysis covered

  1. Clean diesel and hybrid passenger cars, light-duty trucks, vans and SUVs
  2. Gasoline and diesel heavy-duty pickup trucks (> 8,500 lb. GVWR)

Polk’s analysis revealed a 30% increase in diesel registrations from 2010 through 2013. The growth in 2013 was the second consecutive period of double-digit growth (overall auto-industry market growth was just 3.7%).

Hybrid registrations grew 64.5%.

  • Highest percentage of diesel pickup trucks: Wyoming, Utah, Montana
  • Fastest-growing diesel pickup truck registrations: North Dakota, Vermont, Illinois

ExxonMobil predicts that diesel will surpass gasoline as the number one global transportation fuel by 2020, as the U.S. moves toward the 52.5-mpg CAFE standard by 2025. Diesel demand will account for 70% of the growth in demand for all transportation fuels through the forecast period to 2040.

ExxonMobil forecasts that natural gas will play a greater role as a transportation fuel by 2040, but it will make up only 4% of the global transportation fuel mix by 2040 (up from today’s  1%). according  to  ExxonMobil’s  forecast.

2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Sets 4x4 Fuel-Economy Benchmark

GM Confirms Duramax Diesel Option for 2016 Colorado Pickup Trucks

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