Gas vs. diesel: Which should you choose for your fleet?
If you’re having trouble deciding whether to purchase gas or diesel trucks for your fleet, there are factors to consider to ensure that you buy the right vehicles for your business needs.
There are many differences between gas and diesel engines, but the main difference is the fuel they require and how they operate.
What’s the difference?
While both gasoline and diesel engines use internal combustion to propel the vehicle forward, the mechanism differs slightly.
In a gas engine, the air that mixes with the fuel is compressed by pistons and ignited by spark plugs, whereas a diesel engine first compresses the air, which makes it hot. The fuel then ignites when it comes into contact with the hot air without the need for spark plugs.
Because of the difference in the way diesel and gas engines operate, they run on different types of fuel. Gas engines run on gasoline, while diesel engines use road diesel often referred to as white diesel. Road diesel is thicker than gasoline, which means that it evaporates more slowly and has a higher energy density.
Because gas and diesel engines use different fuels and operate differently, they have their own pros and cons regarding fuel economy, cost, and power. Let’s take a look at each of them in more detail.
Fuel economy
In passenger cars, diesel engines definitely have the upper hand when it comes to fuel economy. However, with trucks it’s not so cut-and-dry – it all comes down to what you are using the truck for and where you are driving.
If you need your truck to travel short distances and idle in traffic often, a gas engine may be cheaper to operate. However, if you are traveling long distances and towing or hauling, diesel will give you around 8-10 more miles per gallon than a gasoline engine.
Cost
Diesel trucks are more expensive to purchase initially – you can expect around £6,000 more to be added to the price of a truck with a diesel engine option. Working with a fleet management partner can potentially decrease the acquisition price if you plan to buy an entire fleet.
Although the initial cost for a diesel truck is higher than gas, the total cost is less if you factor in the potential for lower fuel consumption, resale value, and longevity.
Diesel trucks will generally maintain their resale value better than their gas counterparts, and their mechanics are less likely to suffer from as much wear and tear.
Power/torque
When it comes to power, having a diesel truck to tow heavy trailers, climb hills, and haul loads over long distances makes all the difference. The added torque in a diesel engine is what makes diesel engines desirable – and often, it is necessary.
Diesel engines are more powerful than their gas counterparts because they are designed to take more of a turbo boost. To put it into perspective, a gas engine with 15 psi is considered to be on the higher side, for a diesel engine, 15-30 psi is normal.
Another reason diesel trucks can produce so much more power is that their piston strokes are much longer. If you are looking for vehicles that can tow and haul, a diesel truck is the right choice for you.
Geographical location
In addition to the geographic terrain that you will be traveling on, it’s important to consider whether there are refueling stations that carry diesel fuel on your daily or weekly routes.
Before purchasing diesel trucks for your fleet, map out which routes they will be taking and make sure that there are refueling stations on these routes.
Service and maintenance
When diesel engines are properly maintained, they typically last a lot longer than engines that run on gas.
Advancements in metallurgy, fuel, and engine management technology have improved the durability of diesel trucks over the last decade. The life of the engine will depend on application requirements, proper fleet maintenance, and operating conditions.
However, hard parts like alternators, starters, and water pumps are usually more expensive for diesel vehicles – but they are less likely to fail.
While diesel parts are more expensive to replace, they last longer. Diesel vehicles will generally need less maintenance and fewer oil changes, but when they do need them, services are costlier.
This means that the cost of maintenance and services for a gas or diesel vehicle will be around the same in the long run – just make sure you use a certified technician who can handle diesel engine repairs and maintenance.
The bottom line is that purchasing a diesel truck will be worth it if you need the power and hauling capacity. If not, stick to gas.
