Hitting the Road and Picking up Fuel Savings with Trucks and SUV's This Memorial Day Weekend

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This Memorial Day weekend, more than 38 million Americans will hit the nation's roads and highways, according to the American Automobile Association. This year, even more will be behind the wheel of a pickup truck or SUV with a diesel engine, delivering savings at the pump and clean air and climate benefits at the tailpipe.

"For the first time in years, pickups and light trucks have outsold passenger cars in the U.S.," said Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum. "Consumers now have a new option in the pickup and light truck segment – clean diesel. This option has been available for many years in heavier-duty pickup trucks, and is now available in a growing number of light truck and SUV models, delivering power and performance consumers are looking for along with impressive fuel savings.  There are currently 21 SUV, pick-up truck and van models available and we expect this number to expand quickly."

"According to research commissioned by the Diesel Technology Forum, diesel pickups in use between 2010 and 2015 have increased by 17 percent. As of 2015, almost 6.5 million diesel pickups are in use across the country and the number of these diesel work trucks and light trucks in use are expected to expand with the anticipated growth in new diesel models offered.

"New clean diesel pickup trucks are also being recognized for their fuel-savings abilities.  The Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pickup trucks with diesel engine option are the only diesel vehicles to be designated as a Greener Choice (2016MY) from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and capable of achieving an impressive 31 mpg highway fuel economy rating. 

Diesel Helps Achieve Energy and Climate Policy Priorities

"Whether you are concerned about fighting climate change, saving energy or reducing emissions, diesel remains an important technology to achieve all these goals," said Schaeffer. Diesel pickups, work trucks and SUVs on the road since 2005 have eliminated 68 million tons of C02 and saved over 250 million barrels of crude oil, according to research commissioned by the Diesel Technology Forum. "With more diesel options available in this growing market segment, significant additional fuel savings benefits and greenhouse gas reductions will accrue. The growth in diesel light trucks and work trucks are estimated to deliver an additional 16 million tons of C02 saved by 2025."

The Diesel Option Means More Green for Owners

"According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a diesel option in passenger cars and pickups delivers a 20 to 35 percent improvement in fuel economy relative to a gasoline model while reducing greenhouse gas emissions anywhere from 10 to 20 percent. "An owner of a diesel powered light truck on the road this holiday weekend will see impressive fuel savings. Over a year, this owner will save 200 gallons of fuel a year, relative to a comparable gasoline model, while delivering almost 1 ton of C02 savings. That translates to about $510 in fuel savings each year," said Schaeffer. "Of course, these savings and benefits are compounded by each year the truck is on the road."

"Consumers have a growing number of fuel efficient vehicle choices and fuel options.  As an added benefit, clean diesel drivers also have the choice to 'amp-up' their eco-sensibility and reduce their carbon footprint even further by fueling their diesel vehicle with the increasing supply of advanced renewable biodiesel fuels, now available at over 700 stations around the U.S."

Some of the 21 diesel pick-up truck and SUV offerings available in the U.S. include:

• Chevrolet Colorado, Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD & 3500HD
• Chevrolet Express
• GMC Canyon, GMC Sierra 2500, GMC Savanna
• Jeep Grand Cherokee Ecodiesel
• Ford F250 and F350 Superduty,
• Ford Transit
• Mercedes Benz GLE300D, GL350Bluetec, GLK250 Bluetec
• Mercedes Benz Sprinter
• Nissan Titan HD Cummins
• Ram1500 EcoDiesel
• Ram Promaster
• Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel, Ram 3500 Cummins Diesel

Visit here for a full listing of currently available diesel trucks and passenger vehicles.

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ABOUT THE DIESEL TECHNOLOGY FORUM
The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit national organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel and technology. Forum members are leaders in clean diesel technology and represent the three key elements of the modern clean-diesel system: advanced engines, vehicles and equipment, cleaner diesel fuel and emissions-control systems. For more information visit www.dieselforum.org.

Contact:
Allen Schaeffer
[email protected]
301-668-7230 (o)
301-514-9046 (c)

(View this press release online here.)

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

Allen Schaeffer
ProfNet - http://www.profnetconnect.com/Schaeffer  

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SOURCE Diesel Technology Forum

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