New Diesel Debuts at Filling Stations Across U.S.
This weekend marked the arrival of something called "Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel" or ULSD -- to filling stations across the country.
Environmental advocates and industry officials say the fuel is 97 percent cleaner than the diesel we`re all used to.
President Bush was recently treated to a demonstration of what the Diesel Technology Forum calls the "white handkerchief test" -- which it says proves that the particulate matter that creates that ugly black diesel smoke will be a thing of the past with ULSD.
The ultra low sulfur fuel will cost slightly more to produce than the low sulfur fuel that we`re used to -- but industry officials don`t know how those costs will translate at the pump.
And besides, they say, the more significant impact will be national savings in health care and environmental expenses thanks to a diesel that`s friendlier to our air.
"For those that remember when we took lead out of gasoline in the late 70`s, this is the equivalent," Allen Schaeffer of the Diesel Technology Forum said.
"Anything that`s good for the environment, it makes it good for us, so I`m thumbs up for it," local truck driver Paulette Robinson said.
Another technological breakthrough will take effect at the start of the year -- because 2007 diesel engines are being built with new emissions filters that will only work with the cleaner fuel.
Any diesel engine can use the new fuel -- but starting next year it will be illegal for anyone owning a 2007 diesel model or anything built later to use anything else.
The diesel most are familiar with (Low Sulfur Diesel) will still be on sale at many filling stations until the end of the year.
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