Diesel Fuel Supply and Demand

WAckerman · 08-04-2006, 08:56 PM

I am happy hearing the news that there more and more vehicles to be offered with diesel engines in them. I do however have a couple questions in regard to the fuel, its sources, and its costs. I am in no way trying to rain on anyones parade, I am just curious if I understand our energy situation correctly (especially how it pertains to diesel vehicles).

If I understand the production of diesel fuel correctly, diesel is essentially a by-product of gasoline production. My first question is, can more diesel fuel be extracted from a barrel of crude oil if diesel fuel is all you are after?

If the answer to the above question is no, then as people all over the world (especially this country) realize the benefits of diesel vehicles, it would seem to me that the cost of our diesel is going to skyrocket. As more people want diesel, the more it will cost...right? I have seen diesel rise above the cost of Premium Unleaded in Utah much to my surprise.

I was told when I purchased my 05 a few months ago that i could run B5 bio, but that if I was to run anything higher (ie B20 or B100) that DC would void my warranty. I read here on the TDR that the reason for this could be that Bosch is calling the shots on Bio. In my mind at 5% i don't see the benefit (cost of B5 here is almost exactly the same as #2, and I would have to drive out of my way to get it). Now, I would more than willingly drive out of my way and I would even pay slightly more to support American farmers who were producing BioDiesel, if I knew that all the money was going to them, but if 95% of my tank of fuel purchase price is still rolling over to some D*** OPEC country then what is the point? I would like no better than to give the finger to OPEC and Russia who think they can strong arm the world...

I guess I just don't see how we can reduce our dependancy on foriegn oil, unless we have a true commitment from the automakers. I read the article that the Montana Gov. is running a synthetic diesel powered Ram, and that is truely amazing! I would love to see mass producded synthetic diesel! Bring it on!

Anyway, I'm sorry for the long post. I am excited to hear everyone else's opinions.