Cars and Global Warming: 5 Ways Diesel Engines Are Worse for the Environment

Climate change scientists believe transportation emissions contribute significantly to the cause of global warming. Cars in the U.S. cause about 30 percent of these emissions and the use of diesel fuel instead of gasoline comes up for debates when addressing this problem.

Here are five ways diesel engines might be worse for the environment:

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1. Diesel cars obtain 25 to 35 percent better mileage and emit less carbon dioxide than gasoline-powered cars. However, according to Stanford.edu, they can emit 25 to 400 times more soot, the black carbon or smoke that comes out of the tailpipe of a vehicle. Soot is a pollutant that contributes to climate change. Black carbon stays in the atmosphere only for a few days, but enough to trigger breathing difficulties for some people.

2. It takes 13 percent more crude oil to produce a gallon of diesel than gasoline, making the U.S. more vulnerable to foreign countries. Switching to diesel increases dependence on other nations to supply crude oil for U.S. refineries, according to CarsDirect.

3. Cleaning methods for diesel fuel don't provide much more of an improvement. Refineries have taken positive steps at producing cleaner fuel, but diesel engines still cause significant health issues. Even brief exposure to diesel exhaust can contribute to cancer, asthma, bronchitis and allergies.

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4. Diesel engines cost more to own and maintain. A diesel vehicle costs more than a gas-powered car. It can be difficult finding diesel fuel at filling stations. The engines also tend to make more noise. Neglecting the maintenance on a diesel engine can lead to higher costs, reports The Roaming Times. Mechanics can command 30 percent more in fees than regular mechanics. Higher prices could lead to more neglect and more damage to the environment.

5. Diesel fuel doesn't provide the same type of energy that gasoline does. Diesel-fueled cars are designed for steady, hard-working transportation. Gas-powered cars are designed for driving pleasure and more speed, which is part of the reason manufacturers can make innovative improvements to reduce the effects of global warming.

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