The fuel efficiency of clean diesel vehicles could be increased by 10mpg in the next six years, one industry official has suggested.

Last week, the US Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set a target of 35.5mpg for new cars and trucks manufactured in 2016.

Now Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum, has explained that the move will see US consumers have access to a wider range of fuel-efficient vehicles.

"Clean diesel cars are delivering substantial fuel savings to consumers right now," he said in an interview with Business Week.

"Imagine the further gains in diesel fuel efficiency and consumer choices that may come between now and 2016."

Mr Schaeffer added that today's clean diesel cars are already delivering a 10mpg advantage over their gasoline counterparts.

He cited the example of the Volkswagen Jetta TDI - whose gasoline and diesel versions are rated as 29mpg and 42mpg respectively - as the proof for his argument.

Diesel engines are capable of providing lower emissions through particulate filters, which make use of pgms in order to reduce the flow of harmful gases from exhaust pipes.

Source:

New Fuel Economy Standards to Bring More Clean Diesel Cars to Americans, Use Less Petroleum and Have Fewer Greenhouse Gas Emissions (01/04/10)

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