A new analysis of data from R.L. Polk & Co. shows that annual registrations of new diesel passenger vehicles in the United States—including cars, trucks and SUVs—has grown nearly 56 percent during the past five years. The number of diesel registrations has grown from 301,000 in 2000 to nearly 470,000 in 2004 according to a Diesel Technology Forum released April 20. According to another new report commissioned by DTF, "Consumer Accessibility to On-Highway Diesel Fuel," diesel is now available at nearly half (42 percent) of fueling service stations across the country. This level represents a 12 percent increase from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's last report in 2000 that diesel was available at only 30 percent of U.S. service stations. However, proponents of diesel still face emissions hurdles with stringent NOx and particulate matter (PM) standards coming into effect in 2007.
0 Comments