Most modern propulsion comparisons deal with the differences between motors and electric vehicles. But the diesel engine silently provides a third option, mostly for trucks that tow payloads and tows. So that comparison, largely falls on the truck buyers. For comparison, we need to cover many disparate factors.
What about reselling diesel and gas engines?
Let’s start with the price. Engine options cost more to buy. Emissions systems require more servicing, which also increases annual costs. And diesel fuel costs more than gasoline, although diesel engines get better mileage than gasoline. Also, insurance companies are mostly ecumenical, although some believe diesel cars cost a bit more to insure.
Diesel cars sell about 10% more than petrol-powered versions.
But keep in mind that diesel sales are slowly dwindling. While gasoline-powered vehicles make up 54% of new car sales, diesel accounts for 10%. The rest are electric and hybrid cars, which account for 36%.
Are diesel or gas engines more economical?
Engines that use more energy to generate power are less efficient. This means that gas engines use more energy, which means they are more likely to be replaced or repaired sooner than diesel engines. And diesel fuel contains more energy than the same amount of gasoline.
Diesel engines emit less carbon dioxide than gas-powered cars. But diesel also produces more emissions overall. Nitrogen oxide emissions are at much higher rates for diesel engines than for gas.
From the point of view of a gasoline engine, because gasoline is cheaper. Its emissions are lower than diesel engines. But make no mistake, gas-powered engines produce a high rate of emissions, specifically carbon dioxide.
Does reliability depend on how diesel or gas engines are used?
Diesel engines are generally built stronger because the expectation of harsher use is built in. For owners, diesel engines have longer service lives. And because diesel engines operate at lower rpm, parts wear is reduced. These parts are solidly built due to the internal stresses found in diesel engines.
Another factor in favor of diesel engines is that diesel fuel is more like oil. So it lubricates the parts as it flows through the heads and other components. But if you plan to take off-road trips, you might be better off with the petrol engines.
Reliability is more about need
As we said earlier, the reliability factor depends not so much on longevity and power as on need. If you buy a gasoline truck to do heavy towing and hauling, you will reduce its longevity and increase its service life. But if you opt for a diesel engine that mostly and occasionally caters to towing, a petrol engine makes more sense.
So in the end, the right motor used for the right applications means that in every use, it will be trusted for much longer. When you beat a gas engine with a regular heavy pull, or expect a diesel engine to perform a duty around town with the occasional hard work, its reliability is reduced.
