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Comment by pi-err | Hacker News Reader

Modern Diesel technology requires maintenance, fine tuning and specific temperature ranges to live up to its hype. Outside of this envelope, the engines run noisy and produce high amounts of particules.

Most people buy a diesel car because the fuel is cheaper, they will basically not care about those 3 aspects.

As for the result, the article points to Paris: the city didn't have a smog problem 20 years ago, and now spends half the year with smog warnings (60% diesel cars in Paris area). Just walking by, you'll notice most cars are noisier and smell much more than in a comparable situation in London or NYC. By now, diesel cars in Paris area are the main particule emitters, ahead of heating.

Diesel is a high price technology disguised as cost efficient by an inconsiderate european strategy. Can't wait to see diesel go away - a large scale environmental disaster.

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>Modern Diesel technology requires maintenance, fine tuning and specific temperature ranges to live up to its hype.

The same is true for petrol engines. Diesel requires little or no additional maintenance.

>Most people buy a diesel car because the fuel is cheaper

Except the fuel isn't cheaper (in the US), even accounting for the higher specific energy. http://www.fuelgaugereport.com/

I like them because the engines last longer and get better fuel economy; and in my pickup truck, higher power.

>As for the result, the article points to Paris: the city didn't have a smog problem 20 years ago

The city didn't have as many of any kind of car 20 years ago. If you want less smog (particulates) from diesels, then relax NOx standards.

NOx generates smog

Smog is a general term, it can be composed of a variety of compounds including nitrogen oxides.

> diesel maintenance vs petrol

Diesel engines are more vulnerable when driven cold and on short distances (i.e.: typical european city usage). They do need periodic fine tuning, which is mandatory here in most european countries. If the engines has DEF, it has to be refilled and carefully maintained. If it hasn't, the filters also need care (again, most people overlook this).

> fuel price

diesel fuel is about 30% cheaper in Europe, where diesel accounts >50% sales in key countries (germany, spain; france 80% in 2008). Obviously not relevant in the US where diesel is basically non existent. Europe is the main diesel market in the world - worth spending some time there in a major diesel city to forge a definite opinion.

> Paris

Actually less cars in city center, and more in the overall urban area. NOx are contributor, so are Particle Matter PM-6 and PM-10, both byproducts of diesel engines in actual use (obviously far above euro6 norms). Up to 80% of PM in London come from diesel, according to UK government: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/green-motoring/10190942/...

I get that your personal experience with diesel in the US is not bad. Like asbestos sounded great when it saved your family from fire. But really, don't use it.

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