Diesel Engine Car
The calculator includes an uplift for diesel engines vehicles driven in "real world" conditions and published in a June 2007 methodology paper published by DEFRA Passenger transport emissions factors: taking into account general maintenance and tyre pressure, eco-driving and air conditioning use. Diesel fuel consumption can increase up to 20-25% when on full power.
| Engine Size | Size Label | gCO2/ km | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 1.7 l | Small | 150.7 | 49.3 |
| 1.7 - 2.0 l | Medium | 188.1 | 39.5 |
| > 2.0 l | Large | 263.5 | 28.2 |
A short history of diesel engines
In 1893 the German inventor Rudolph Diesel (1858-1913) published a treatise entitled Theorie und Construktion eines rationellen Wärmemotors zum Ersatz der Dampfmaschine und der heute bekannten Verbrennungsmotoren (Theory and Construction of a Rational Heat-engine to Replace the Steam Engine and Combustion Engines Known Today), which described an engine where air is compressed by a piston to a very high pressure, causing a high temperature. Fuel is injected and ignited by the compression temperature. An engine was built based on that theory and, though it worked only sporadically, Diesel patented it. Within a couple of years the design became the standard for that type of engine.
Sales of passenger cars powered by diesels, peaked in 1981 with 60% of diesel cars built by General Motors, accounting for 10% of sales. Diesel cars also accounted for almost 85% of Peugeot sales in the United States, 78% of Mercedes-Benz sales, 58% of Isuzu sales and almost half of Volkswagen sales. Diesel passenger cars were also sold by Audi, Volvo and Datsun in 1981. Unfortunately there were some problems with GM's diesels. Blocks cracked and crankshafts wore prematurely. Tougher emission standards also caused problems for diesel passenger car manufacturers.
