Diesel and gasoline are the two fuels that are most commonly used to power cars and other types of vehicles. Each fuel type requires a specific fuel type to be utilized, and offers a number of benefits over each other. Understanding the difference between diesel and gasoline can help you decide which type of vehicle best fits your needs.

Fuel Efficiency:  Diesel is much more efficient than gasoline, offering significantly more miles per gallon than gasoline does. Of course, the actual difference depends on the vehicles used, but as a general rule of thumb a full tank of diesel will transport you further than the same amount of gasoline.

Acceleration: Diesel offers greater acceleration than gasoline does, because diesel engines produce more torque than gasoline engines do. Torque refers to the twisting force of the axles, which rotate the tires and move the vehicle. Greater amounts of torque speed the car up at a greater rate, which in turn improves the efficiency of diesel engines.

Price: Though both are pricy, gasoline costs less than diesel fuel does. However, when calculating the difference in prices between the two fuels, it is important to take note of the distance a full tank of fuel will take you. Since diesel is the more efficient fuel, it may actually be more economical to choose a diesel engine over a gasoline powered engine, as a diesel powered vehicle will have to be filled up less. Of course, this will depend on the vehicles compared. However, diesel powered cars also tend to be more expensive than gasoline cars, which should also be taken into account.

Noise: Diesel engines tend to be much louder than gasoline engines, which can be annoying and disruptive. Diesel cars are not as common as gasoline powered cars, and as such you will probably stand out with a diesel car.

Top Speed: Gasoline offers a greater top speed than diesel does, which, while not a concern for most drivers, can be a significant factor for some drivers who value performance. Additionally, it should be noted that gasoline offers a smoother ride than diesel.

Environmental Concerns: While diesel does release less CO2 than gasoline does, it releases other emissions that are still harmful to the environment. It is hard to determine which type of fuel is better, as both do damage to the environment, but each vehicle will emit different amounts. A good idea when comparing diesel and gasoline powered cars would be to examine the filters and catalytic converters in the engines of each car to see which one has the best filter.

For more information, contact a company like Nelson Petroleum.