Rising Fuel Prices Stir Interest in Diesel

High fuel prices could signal a rise in sales for diesel-run automobiles.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average price for diesel was generally lower than that of gasoline until September 2004. The price hike for diesel fuels can be attributed to production costs associated with more stringent Environmental Protection Agency emission requirements and a higher worldwide demand.

But over the past few months, motortrend.com has reported comparable prices for gasoline and diesel fuels in Baltimore County.

Christine Delise, a public affairs specialist for AAA Mid-Atlantic, said some analysts are predicting that gasoline will drift downward over the next few months to around $3.25 a gallon. But looking ahead to 2012, it’s projected that the costs will again rise as the demand for oil and petroleum products grows.

Delise said diesel prices will likely also rise, but investing in a diesel-run vehicle may still be a smart financial decision.

“The newer diesel-powered automobiles are reported to be extremely efficient, typically getting 20 to 40 percent more miles to the gallon, compared to a comparable gasoline-powered car, so in the long run it may make economic sense to consider this option,” she said.

Peter Kitzmiller, president of the Maryland Automobile Dealers Association, agreed.

“The fact is, with prices high across the board, drivers are looking at fuel economy,” he said. “Diesel gets dramatically better fuel economy."

Kitzmiller said there currently are not many diesel-run automobile options in the U.S., but he expects that may change.

“Diesel is likely to have big impact in the future,” he said. “It ‘s already popular in Europe where gas prices have been high for 30, 40 years. America’s only seen high prices over the last few years.”

Towson resident Marisa Sheingate, who previously lived in Ireland, is ahead of the trend.

Sheingate recently replaced her 1999 Chevy Tahoe with a diesel-run 2011 Jetta TDI. She said she's really pleased with the vehicle's  performance.

"We get about 30 miles per gallon in town and 40-plus miles per gallon on the highway," Sheingate said. "I don't even want to know what we were getting with the Tahoe. Probably under 20."

Sheingate is also impressed with drastic reductions in fuel costs.

"We're a one car family," she said. "We used to pay about $250 a month for gas. Now we pay about $150 a month for diesel."

Local car dealers said they are already seeing higher sales for diesel-run vehicles.

 “We’ve had very good sales with diesel-fuel vehicles. They’ve done very well,” said Karl Pugh, a sales manager for Valley Motors Audi in Cockeysville. “When gas prices go up, people want diesel.”