{"id":4046,"date":"2020-01-10T14:14:56","date_gmt":"2020-01-10T13:14:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/en.advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/?p=4046"},"modified":"2020-01-10T14:14:56","modified_gmt":"2020-01-10T13:14:56","slug":"4046","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/2020\/01\/10\/4046\/","title":{"rendered":"Gasoline or Diesel: What’s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gasoline or Diesel: What’s the Difference?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When looking at whether gasoline or diesel is the best option for your fleet, Ford noted that maintenance for diesel models can be more costly, specialized, and complex.<\/p>\n

Gasoline versus diesel. It\u2019s an age-old engine<\/a> debate \u2014 and one that keeps popping up as technology and fleet needs continually evolve. Where does it stand for today\u2019s light- and medium-duty trucking fleets? OEM experts weigh in.<\/p>\n

Acquisition and Fuel Costs<\/h5>\n

Let\u2019s start at the beginning: up-front costs.<\/p>\n

Nathan Oscarson, brand manager for Ford commercial trucks, said diesel trucks cost around $10,000 more up front than similarly spec\u2019ed<\/a> gasoline trucks. But, there is a reason.<\/p>\n

\u201cDiesel engines, such as our third-generation 6.7L Power Stroke, are built for the worst-case scenario. This engineering and testing, along with the cost and maintenance of emissions equipment, can increase the initial investment and long-term maintenance costs of a diesel engine,\u201d he said. \u201cFord gasoline trucks have become very popular with fleet managers because they are significantly more affordable and require less maintenance.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking at up-front costs alone, gasoline gets the advantage. Gasoline-powered trucks also win on the cost per gallon of fuel. But again, there\u2019s a caveat.<\/p>\n

\u201cDiesel is generally more expensive,\u201d said Dave Sowers, head of Ram Commercial Marketing. \u201cAt the same time, diesel fuel has a higher density than gasoline, meaning it needs less fuel to generate the same power as a gasoline-powered engine. So, diesel engines can provide superior fuel economy to gasoline engines.\u201d<\/p>\n

For instance, Sowers explained that the 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel features a highway rating of 29 mpg for 4×4 models, compared to a 21 mpg for a typical gasoline engine truck.\u00a0So, while the cost of diesel averages $0.50 more per gallon, the vehicle has improved fuel economy.<\/p>\n

Greg Baker, product director for Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America, said this improved fuel economy could make up for the higher sticker price, especially for high-mileage fleets.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the customer has high mileage, a diesel truck may make more sense because of the improved fuel economy. The improved fuel economy may help offset the higher initial investment cost of the diesel truck,\u201d he said. \u201cHowever, most light- and medium-duty truck applications are not high-mileage-type vehicles, which can make gasoline trucks more economical.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maintenance Differences<\/h5>\n

When it comes to maintenance, each engine type has its unique demands \u2014 and those can make a meaningful difference.<\/p>\n

For instance, diesel engine components require service for fuel filters and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). Gasoline engines, on the other hand, have shorter oil change intervals and require periodic maintenance on spark plugs that don\u2019t exist on diesel engines.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile\u00a0maintenance of a diesel engine costs more per occurrence, intervals can be extended compared to a gasoline engine,\u201d said Sowers of Ram Commercial. \u201cFor example, Ram Heavy Duty pickups equipped with a Cummins Diesel engine can extend oil change intervals to 15,000 miles.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although both engine types<\/a> have unique requirements, Oscarson of Ford said maintenance for diesel-powered engines tends to be more costly and difficult.<\/p>\n

\u201cA fleet manager must have a plan in place for diesel maintenance, as it is more complex and specialized then gasoline engine maintenance and repair,\u201d he explained. \u201cMaintenance for diesel trucks can be more expensive because it requires specialized training. And, there are not as many diesel service facilities as gasoline engine repair facilities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s the DEF factor, which doesn\u2019t pertain to gasoline-powered engines.<\/p>\n

\u201cMore maintenance is required on a diesel with the DEF fluid that needs to be added to the truck about every 2,000 to 3,000 miles,\u201d said Brian Tabel, executive director of marketing for Isuzu Commercial Truck of America. \u201cThe diesel particulate filter (DPF) also needs to be serviced and cleaned at every 100,000 miles, which is an additional maintenance cost.\u201d<\/p>\n

Putting it all together, Baker of Mitsubishi Fuso said gasoline gets the advantage when it comes to maintenance.<\/p>\n

\u201cDiesel trucks have significantly greater overall maintenance costs even with the longer intervals between service dates,\u201d he said. \u201cThe reason for this is that gasoline engines have a more simplistic emissions system compared to the more complex diesel emissions system. The diesel truck also requires additional consumables such as DEF fluid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"The
\n

The 7.3L V-8 features an overhead valve architecture that helps get heavier loads moving sooner due to power low in rev range. Photo: Ford Motor Co.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\n
Factors in Choosing Between Gasoline & Diesel<\/h5>\n