The problems previously associated with old diesel are old news. Today’s clean diesel is different, offering benefits that are miles ahead of gasoline.  Districts running a clean diesel fleet are reaping the benefits of cost savings, easy maintenance, and eco-friendliness.

The facts are clear: diesel is the fuel of choice for today’s fleets. Here are some reasons to stay the course with diesel.

Diesel saves money.  Gasoline school buses may have a lower sticker price, but that’s only part of the cost story.  The greatest cost of a fleet’s total operating budget isn’t the initial investment in the bus. It’s the cost of the fuel needed to run that fleet, year in and year out. Fuel costs equate to more than two-thirds of the typical fleet’s annual operating expenses.  Diesel is the most fuel-efficient engine on the market, providing nearly 90 percent better fuel economy and a longer operating range than other similar-size gasoline or propane engines.

Diesel also has stronger resale value and proven durability, providing long-term savings. In addition to best-in-class fuel economy, the new Detroit DD5 offers a B10 life of 400,000 miles, all but eliminating the need to replace the engine.

Diesel is green.  Today’s clean diesel is cleaner than ever.  Diesel emissions at the tailpipe are more than 90 percent cleaner than they were in 2006 and are comparable to—or even cleaner than—other fuel types based on EPA-regulated emissions standards.  Diesel also offers the lowest carbon footprint over the operational lifetime of the bus in terms of carbon dioxide.

New diesel lets you say goodbye to aftertreatment issues.  In the past, diesel aftertreatment systems were a pain point for technicians.  Thanks to innovative variable cam-phasing technology available through Detroit, as well as the Stay Warm feature available through Cummins, new clean-diesel aftertreatment systems allow additional heat to enter the exhaust stream, enabling efficient operation of the aftertreatment system in low speed and stop-and-go operations.

Bottom line: diesel goes the distance.