From Jalopnik · Brad Brownell · · 1m 50s
Cheaper Alternatives To Driving A Big Diesel Truck
Five cost-effective options to replace expensive diesel truck driving.
In brief
Five cost-effective options to replace expensive diesel truck driving. Electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, vegetable oil conversions, e-bikes, and walkable cities with public transit offer significant fuel savings compared to diesel trucks. Originally reported by Jalopnik.
Current Diesel Fuel Costs
Fuel prices in America average over six dollars per gallon with West Coast prices exceeding eight dollars.
Porsche Cayenne Diesel Costs
My 2013 Porsche Cayenne Diesel costs 21 cents per mile with Ohio's $6.06 gallon price.
Electric Vehicle Savings
A new Nissan Leaf costs 6 cents per mile versus 21 cents for the Cayenne Diesel.
Plug-in Hybrid Benefits
Plug-in hybrids offer similar fuel savings in cities with gasoline engines for long-distance driving.
Vegetable Oil Conversion
Converting to waste vegetable oil reduces fuel costs but requires a purifying filter system.
E-bike Per-Mile Costs
Electric-assist bicycles cost two tenths of a penny per mile versus 21 cents for diesel.
Work-from-Home Savings
Working from home saves thousands of gallons of fuel annually by eliminating daily commutes.
Public Transportation Savings
Public transit users spend 16 cents for every dollar car commuters spend annually.
City Walkability Benefits
Walkable cities with public transit reduce traffic and save money compared to car-dependent areas.
Diesel Fuel Crisis
An ongoing war with Iran is holding all Americans hostage at fuel pumps with no relief in sight.
Cost Comparison
Driving the Cayenne 10,000 miles costs $2,100 versus $600 for the Nissan Leaf.
E-bike Payback Period
A $1,000 e-bike pays for itself after 4,808 miles.
Public Transit Savings
Switching from two cars to one car and one rider saves $13,000 per year.
Conclusion
Replacing diesel trucks with efficient alternatives saves money and reduces dependence on cars.
In short
Electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, vegetable oil conversions, e-bikes, and walkable cities with public transit offer significant fuel savings compared to diesel trucks.
