You don’t have to manage a commercial fleet to know that some vehicles run on diesel while others use gasoline. And you probably know it’s mainly bigger trucks, and maybe some older European cars. But you may not have thought much about the difference between the two fuels.
While both gasoline and diesel are used to fuel vehicles, they have some key differences. Efficiency and power are the main advantages of diesel over gas, and that’s why most heavy duty commercial vehicles have diesel engines. In addition, diesel engines tend to last longer and require less maintenance—even as they handle bigger loads.
Here’s what you need to know.
The big difference between the two fuels is the combustion process in the engine.
In gasoline engines, the fuel is first mixed with air and then compressed by the piston. Then a spark plug creates a spark to cause an explosion (combustion). The explosion moves the piston, which moves the crankshaft and ultimately moves the wheel.
A diesel engine, on the other hand, doesn’t need spark plugs for combustion. Instead of using a spark for ignition, diesel fuel needs to be vaporized before it goes to the combustion chamber, where it ignites at a high temperature. As the piston compresses the air, it gets hotter due to pressure. The hot air, when mixed with vaporized diesel, ignites resulting in combustion.
Diesel fuel is made using a hydrocarbon mixture that is a byproduct of the distillation of crude oil. It is denser than gas. Diesel’s boiling point is higher than that of water, which means it has an extremely low evaporation point. It’s classified as combustible, meaning it requires compression and heat to function.
Gasoline is made from refined crude oil and other petroleum liquids which are blended with other ingredients and fuel ethanol into finished motor gasoline. It’s available in different grades and qualities. Regular gas can evaporate at room temperature, and is considered a flammable liquid, which means that it requires a spark. So, while diesel fuel will extinguish a lit match, a lit match will ignite the fumes of gasoline before it even reaches the liquid.
Diesel’s chemical composition contains more atoms, which help provide more power during combustion—but also produces more greenhouse gas than gasoline. Because diesel is several times more powerful than gas, it’s the go-to fuel for industries that require that extra energy, such as trucking and construction. The power output also means it’s more efficient than gas. One gallon of diesel produces 147,000 BTUs compared to 125,000 BTUs of a gallon of regular gas.
Gasoline is a less-dense fuel. It’s better at providing speed than sheer power, which is why it’s better for automobiles. It also performs better in cold temperatures.
We’ve been working with businesses in northern Vermont for more almost 80 years. Nobody understands your commercial fueling needs better. After all, we operate a fleet of commercial delivery trucks ourselves. From planning and scheduling deliveries to tracking your usage to improve efficiency, Corse Fuels delivers.
Contact us for more information today.