IMHO, the reason that folks commonly think that diesel fuel is more expensive than gasoline is because they are thinking about how it is packaged as opposed to how it is consumed. We BUY fuel (diesel or gasoline) on a gallon basis, so it is pretty obvious that most people would notice that a gallon of diesel costs more than a gallon of gasoline. However, the less obvious yet more relevant fact is that, we USE fuel by the mile. In analytical terms, it is a classic use-case distinction.
Let me put it another way. If I was buying a gallon of fuel in order to display it in a large glass bottle on a shelf, I'd buy gasoline, because it would cost me less for a gallon to display. But I don't display motor vehicle fuel. And if I was buying a gallon of fuel to mix with my dehydrated mashed potato flakes, I'd buy gasoline, because it would cost me less for a gallon. But I don't cook with motor vehicle fuels either.
Indeed, the way that I use motor vehicle fuel is to power my motor vehicles. And motor vehicles are used on a mileage basis. You never hear someone say, "How many gallons are we from the campsite?" And you never hear someone give directions like, "Take the next left and drive for about seven tenths of a gallon. You'll see it on the right." And we never check to see how many gallons are on the odometer of a used truck that we're thinking about buying.
Now since we all drive on a mileage basis, doesn't it make sense to compare and contrast the fuel that we use on the same basis? I think it does. And so do most all of the major trucking companies in the world. And, what do you know, they almost always choose diesel as their primary fuel type. Why? Because of the number of miles that you can get out of the same amount of fuel as contrasted with gasoline. I think deep down inside, we all know that this is true. It just makes sense, to trucking companies, and to RVers.
Now I'm not saying that mileage is the only thing that we need to consider when choosing between gas or diesel. There's usually a hardy price penalty up front to acquire a diesel rig. And if diesel fuel was priced a lot higher per gallon than gasoline, that could become a factor. All I'm saying is, since diesel delivers approximately 30 percent better fuel mileage than gasoline, and it doesn't cost anything near 30 percent more per gallon, diesel just makes good sense, PER MILE that is!
Well put. I was aware that diesel packs about 30% more energy when compared to an equal amount of gasoline, but I thought the higher diesel cost came much closer to equaling out the benefit. Rough numbers indicate that diesel is only about 15% more expensive per gallon than gasoline.
I don't know where you are buying your diesel, but here DFW area, you can find diesel as cheap as $4.65 and gas $3.61. That to me is a significant difference, especially when you consider the cost of a diesel engine compared to a gasoline engine.
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Your numbers seem off a bit, according to the accepted BTU numbers for gasoline (115,000) and diesel (130,000) there is not 30% more energy available. That is closer to 13%. I think the pricing is closer than you think. If you thought for 1 minute that an energy company was not going to adjust pricing to reflect just how much energy is available from their product you were fooling yourself.
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I think more people are interested in pure MPG rather than "energy." If diesel costs 20% more than gasoline (as it does here) and gives you 20% better fuel economy, it's a wash. Whichever way the numbers may deviate up or down from this figure determines the true benefit or loss.
Of course, this simple formula does not take into consideration the higher initial cost of the diesel engine, nor the added longevity of the diesel.
Isn't it obvious why there is so much diesel bashing? Me and others like me who drive gasoline RVs try to justify the decision we made.
All kidding aside, there are points and counter-points. The way I see it, with a few exeptions it's a close race which fuel is the most economical choice. If there was a clear winner, nobody with half a brain could start a debate over it.
I personally feel diesel pushers, Super-C diesels and the Sprinter chassis motorhomes is where the diesel has a financially practical application. But not in the most common Ford & GM cut-away or the conventional front engine class-A.
So which RV should one get? Narrow your selection to a few. Maybe your short list will have both gas and diesel. Then you'll have something to think about.
* This post was
edited 08/02/08 06:04am by ron.dittmer *
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Here in WNC, the difference has consistently been right at $.80 / gal. for many months. My gasoline-burning 8.1, 4WD Tiger CX gets 13.8 mpg at 60 mph on flat roads. You claim 15 at the same speed. So _my_ gasoline is indeed cheaper than your diesel. Keep trying to convince yourself, but at present it ain't true.
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Handbasket wrote: Here in WNC, the difference has consistently been right at $.80 / gal. for many months. My gasoline-burning 8.1, 4WD Tiger CX gets 13.8 mpg at 60 mph on flat roads. You claim 15 at the same speed. So _my_ gasoline is indeed cheaper than your diesel. Keep trying to convince yourself, but at present it ain't true.
Excellent point which we've discussed at work often. You need to look at $/mile, not $/gal.
A few weeks ago, I ran some numbers based on the non-towing mpg I get with my diesel 2500HD and a coworker is getting in his gas 1500 Z71. I forget exact numbers but my diesel was costing less $$$ per mile than his gas truck. Again, this is taking the higher initial cost of diesel engine out of the formula. In past, you could count on most of that initial cost being returned when you trade-in or sell. With big truck prices nose diving that might not be true anymore.
I believe the difference at that time was around 75 cents and I calculated difference could've been around $1.10 before the two were even. Anything above $1.10 difference gas would've been more cost effective.
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fla-gypsy wrote: Your numbers seem off a bit, according to the accepted BTU numbers for gasoline (115,000) and diesel (130,000) there is not 30% more energy available. That is closer to 13%. I think the pricing is closer than you think. If you thought for 1 minute that an energy company was not going to adjust pricing to reflect just how much energy is available from their product you were fooling yourself.
There are more factors to consider than a striaght BTU comparison. A diesel engine produces more horsepower per BTU than a gasoline engine. How much more I have no idea. I used 30% because that's what Kubota claims when comparing fuel consumption in my diesel tractors.
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