Diesel vs. hybrid vehicles -- who's leading?

June 9, 2014 | By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

California, Texas and Florida lead the U.S. with the most registrations of fuel-efficient clean diesel and hybrid passenger vehicles, according to research by the Diesel Technology Forum. The analysis is based on data that includes the registration statistics of all passenger vehicles -- cars, SUVS, pickup trucks and vans -- that were compiled by R.L. Polk and Company in all 50 states and the District of Columbia through December 31, 2013.

Click on image to enlarge. Credit: Diesel Technology Forum

According to the data, Illinois (+25 percent), Arizona (+15.5 percent) and California (+11.3 percent) lead the states with the fastest-growing number of registrations for clean diesel cars and SUVs in 2013.

Based on all registered vehicles -- cars, pickups, vans, SUVs -- there are more diesel drivers in Western states like Wyoming (10.8 percent), Montana 8.1 percent) and Idaho (6.9 percent).

In 2013, diesel registrations increased by 410,040 nationally and hybrids increased by 531,385. The analysis also showed that while overall diesel sales were up 30 percent in the 2010-2013 period, hybrid sales increased by 64.5 percent.

"We fully expected that hybrids would outpace diesel sales based on the number of choices available to consumers during this timeframe. In 2013, there were 23 diesel cars and SUV choices for consumers, but more than double that -- 50 choices -- of hybrids," said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum. "We are poised, however, to see the number of clean diesel choices grow in the next 18 months to encompass more vehicle classes and price ranges which will make diesels increasingly accessible to more consumers. Already we know of 16 announced new clean diesel options that are coming to the U.S. later this year through 2017."

Among passenger vehicle registrations in the United States, diesel currently accounts for more than 7 million vehicles while hybrids account for 2.8 million, according to the research.

"Diesel cars and SUVs are emerging in the U.S. market," Schaeffer said. "While diesels account for about 50 percent of all auto sales in Europe, diesels are a more modest three percent in the U.S."

But clean diesel vehicles are poised to take off, as evidenced by the number of clean diesels being introduced in the U.S., and there will an estimated 60 diesel vehicles available by 2017, according to the report.

"As a result, we could see the diesel market in the U.S. reach 10 percent by 2020 as Americans learn more about the proven real world fuel efficiency benefits and long term value of the new clean diesel technology," Schaeffer concluded.

For more:
- see this report

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/diesel-vs-hybrid-vehicles-whos-leading/2014-06-09