Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT
Good heavens - I knew that diesel cars were very rare in the US, but I didn't know that they were actually illegal!
Doesn't really make much sense, since they have so much better fuel consumption than petrol engines.
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True... but older diesels emit a particulate soot that is even more hazardous to the human body than petrol (excuse me) gas fumes and carbon monoxide. The soot is fine enough to filter through the lungs and directly into the bloodstream. This is why many health organizations have opposed extensive rollouts of diesel use in the U.S.
Now that newer designs are emitting much less soot and particulates, they are seeing more interest in the U.S. But of course, now that diesel is more expensive than gas (excuse me) petrol in most of the U.S., they might not be very popular for long.
Edit: Should have read on a bit farther... Vivaldi covered it pretty well, too!