Regan Brown
Diesel fuel, refined from crude oil, is the technology of choice for the global trucking industry. In 2022, diesel fuel consumption accounted for about 25% of total US transportation sector CO2 emissions. While diesel engines are more fuel-efficient than petrol engines, they produce harmful emissions that contribute to global warming and have serious health implications. This has prompted the implementation of various emissions reduction strategies and the development of alternative technologies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Global warming impact | Diesel smoke has a strong global warming impact, with black carbon having 3,300 times more impact than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period |
| CO2 emissions | Diesel fuel contains more carbon (2.68kg CO₂/litre) than petrol (2.31kg CO₂/litre), but overall CO₂ emissions of a diesel car are lower (120g CO₂/km) compared to petrol (200g CO₂/km) |
| Health impact | Diesel emissions cause more than 120,000 premature deaths each year, with exposure to smog (ozone) and soot (fine particulate matter) being key factors |
| Fuel standards | The U.S. has implemented Ultra-Low-Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel standards to reduce sulfur content and emissions, with most diesel fuel sold being ULSD |
| Engine technology | New diesel engines have near-zero emissions, higher fuel efficiency, and lower CO2 emissions, but older engines still in use contribute to air pollution |
| Policy interventions | Programs like the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) provide funding for projects that reduce diesel emissions from existing engines |
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What You'll Learn
- Diesel engines produce harmful pollutants such as ground-level ozone and particulate matter
- Diesel exhaust has serious health implications, including asthma, respiratory illnesses, and heart disease
- Diesel engines are long-lasting, so older, dirtier engines are still in use, contributing to air pollution
- New diesel engines have near-zero emissions, but older models require fuel with a lower sulfur content
- Diesel fuel is energy-dense, powering most commercial vehicles, but alternatives are emerging
Diesel engines produce harmful pollutants such as ground-level ozone and particulate matter
Diesel fuel, which is refined from crude oil, produces many harmful emissions when burned. Diesel-fuelled vehicles are major sources of harmful pollutants, such as ground-level ozone and particulate matter.
Ground-level ozone is a harmful air pollutant and the main ingredient in smog. It is not emitted directly into the air but is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This occurs when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants, and other sources chemically react in the presence of sunlight. Ozone is most likely to reach unhealthy levels on hot, sunny days in urban environments, but it can also be transported by wind, affecting rural areas as well. It can trigger a variety of health problems, particularly for children, the elderly, and people with lung diseases such as asthma.
Diesel engines contribute to ground-level ozone formation, with diesel's per-kilometre ozone impact being higher than that of gasoline and LPG. Hydrocarbons from diesel can account for a significant portion of ozone production potential in urban areas, as seen in London.
Particulate matter (PM) refers to the fine particles found in diesel exhaust, such as soot. These particles are formed by carbon compounds that have not burned due to local low temperatures where the fuel is not fully atomized. Modern car engines use diesel particulate filters (DPFs) to capture and burn these carbon particles, improving fuel efficiency. However, methods like exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) can negatively impact efficiency and increase soot particle production.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implemented standards to address the issue of diesel emissions, including regulations for sulfur content and emissions from new diesel engines. The use of Ultra-Low-Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) fuel and advanced exhaust emission control systems can significantly reduce particulate and nitrogen compound emissions. While newer diesel engines are cleaner, the long lifespan of diesel engines means that older, dirtier engines are still in use, contributing to air pollution.
To further reduce emissions, funding programs like the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) provide grants and rebates for projects that implement diesel emission reduction technologies.
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Diesel exhaust has serious health implications, including asthma, respiratory illnesses, and heart disease
Diesel fuel, which is refined from crude oil, produces a variety of harmful emissions when burned. Diesel-fuelled vehicles are a significant source of pollutants, such as ground-level ozone and particulate matter. These emissions have been linked to serious health issues, including asthma, respiratory illnesses, and heart disease.
Diesel exhaust particles have been identified as a significant contributor to air pollution in many towns and cities. Epidemiological studies have found a correlation between air pollution levels and various adverse health outcomes. Diesel exhaust exposure has acute effects, including irritation of the nose and eyes, lung function changes, respiratory issues, headaches, fatigue, and nausea.
Chronic exposure to diesel exhaust has more severe consequences, including allergic inflammation in the human lower respiratory tract, allergic susceptibility, and profound inflammatory changes in the airways. Additionally, it exacerbates asthma, chronic bronchitis, respiratory tract infections, and can worsen existing heart and lung diseases, particularly in children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
The impact of diesel emissions on human health is significant, with an estimated 122,100 premature deaths attributed to the diesel sector annually. To address this issue, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implemented standards to reduce the sulfur content of diesel fuel and engine emissions. Ultra-Low-Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel, which contains a maximum sulfur concentration of 15 parts per million, is now widely used in the United States. These measures aim to reduce the harmful health impacts of diesel exhaust, improve air quality, and mitigate the contribution to global warming.
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Diesel engines are long-lasting, so older, dirtier engines are still in use, contributing to air pollution
Diesel fuel, which is refined from crude oil, produces many harmful emissions when burned. Diesel-fuelled vehicles are a major source of harmful pollutants, such as ground-level ozone and particulate matter. These emissions have been linked to serious health issues, including asthma, respiratory illnesses, and heart disease, particularly in children and the elderly.
Due to their longevity, diesel engines can operate for 30 years or more, and as a result, millions of older, more polluting engines are still in use, contributing to air pollution. The fine particulate matter (PM) emitted from diesel engines has been associated with poor heart health and an increased risk of cancer. In addition, the emissions from diesel engines contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, which damages crops, trees, and other vegetation.
To address the issue of diesel emissions, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established standards for the sulfur content of diesel fuel and emissions from new diesel engines. The petroleum industry has responded by producing Ultra-Low-Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) fuel, which helps reduce emissions even in older engines. However, it will take a significant amount of time for newer, cleaner diesel engine vehicles to replace the older ones.
The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Program was created to promote diesel emission reduction technologies, with funding provided for projects that aim to reduce emissions from existing diesel engines. These efforts are crucial in mitigating the impact of diesel engines on air pollution and human health.
While diesel engines have been improved over time, with new diesel engines achieving near-zero emissions and increased fuel efficiency, the long-lasting nature of these engines means that older, more polluting models remain in use, contributing to air pollution and its associated health and environmental risks.
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New diesel engines have near-zero emissions, but older models require fuel with a lower sulfur content
Diesel fuel is refined from crude oil and produces many harmful emissions when burned. Diesel-fuelled vehicles are a major source of pollutants such as ground-level ozone and particulate matter. These emissions have been linked to serious health issues, including respiratory illnesses, and can worsen existing heart and lung diseases. In 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared diesel combustion emissions to be carcinogenic.
To address the environmental and health concerns associated with diesel emissions, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established standards for the sulfur content of diesel fuel and emissions from new diesel engines. These standards mandate a significant reduction in the sulfur content of diesel fuels, leading to the production of Ultra-Low-Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel. ULSD fuel helps reduce emissions, even in older engines. However, due to the long operational life of diesel engines, millions of older, dirtier engines are still in use, contributing to air pollution.
New diesel engines now achieve near-zero emissions with increasing fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. The latest diesel technology is more fuel-efficient and emits lower levels of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. Compared to older generations, it would take multiple new machines or engines to match the emissions of a single older machine or engine. However, older diesel engines require fuel with a lower sulfur content to mitigate their environmental impact.
The advanced generation of diesel is part of the solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Strategies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the near term are crucial to combating climate change and achieving mitigation targets. While alternatives to diesel technology are emerging, such as electric-powered vehicles and hydrogen-based equipment, diesel remains the technology of choice in many sectors due to its unique combination of energy density and engine performance.
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Diesel fuel is energy-dense, powering most commercial vehicles, but alternatives are emerging
Diesel fuel, derived from crude oil, is energy-dense, which has made it a popular fuel source for transportation. Its high mass and volumetric energy density mean that it can store a large amount of energy per unit volume, which is advantageous for vehicles that need to travel long distances. This is why diesel fuel powers most commercial vehicles, as well as much of the British Navy and other transportation.
However, burning diesel fuel produces harmful emissions, including ground-level ozone and particulate matter, which have negative impacts on both human health and the environment. Diesel exhaust can cause and exacerbate serious health conditions, including asthma, respiratory illnesses, and heart and lung disease. It also contributes to air pollution and the production of ground-level ozone, which damages crops, trees, and other vegetation. To address these issues, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implemented standards for the sulfur content of diesel fuel and emissions from diesel engines.
In response to the negative impacts of diesel fuel, alternative fuel sources for vehicles are emerging. Renewable diesel, for example, is a biomass-derived fuel suitable for use in diesel engines, and sustainable aviation fuel is derived from renewable feedstocks, enabling a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to conventional fuels. Hydrogen is another potential alternative, as it can be produced from renewable resources and used in fuel cell electric vehicles. Electric vehicles are also growing in popularity, with battery electric cars already making up a significant portion of new car registrations in the UK. Other alternatives include biogas (CNG and LNG), propane, and HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil).
While diesel fuel is energy-dense and has been a popular choice for commercial vehicles, the environmental and health impacts of diesel emissions have spurred the development and adoption of alternative fuel sources for vehicles.
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