New Energy Bill has Big Three Automakers Pursuing Diesel Market

"With continuing high gas prices, consumers are looking for vehicles with good fuel economy, and that's where diesel can deliver." - Mike Omotoso, J.D. Power & Associates

As this article in The Detroit News points out, the mileage standards included in the new Energy Bill have already had impact in the domestic diesel engine market.

J.D. Power & Associates predicts a doubling of diesel units in the passenger car market by 2012 - inceasing to over 1.2 million units being sold in the U.S. Others in the industry expect diesel to make up 15 percent of the total domestic automotive market within the decade.

Concerns about global warming and a desire to reduce the carbon footprint of our transportation fuels is driving the diesel revolution in the domestic market. These concerns - along with an increasing market preference for diesel fuel over gasoline - will result in an increased demand for renewable alternatives to diesel as a means of leveraging the carbon-reduction gains that are achieved.

All the more reason to remain diligent in our efforts to establish the biodiesel industry on firm footing and to increase the distribution and market availability of biodiesel as our very own Home Grown Fuel for a Better Wisconsin.

(Also read Jonathon Ramsey commentary from AutoBlogGreen here)