Maybe they are not ready because they don't want to make any modifications to their infrastructure. They would have to start installing more deisel pumps at the stations.

I already do; a '03 Jetta TDI. When I was doing the cross-Maryland commute it was perfect. I'd average close to 50 MPG. Now I live in the city and the car's a little older but I still get over 40 MPG even with bio-diesel (which has slightly less oomph, I'm told) from the local co-op. Baltimore bio-diesel is a great group of people. Stop by at Mill Valley Farmers market on a Saturday to say hi!

The new ones are not smelly, unless you overfill them.

Diesel is also non-explosive, unlike gasoline.

Do a google and you will find video of Dan Neil of the LA Times placing a piece of hot buttered toast in the exhaust stream of the new Mercedes diesel, and then eating it. The air is cleaner coming out than going in.

No cars for me until I can get a PHEV, thank you.

I have a diesel. They rock! It gets 42-45 mpg and it's a 2000 VW. Even in the cold of winter, it starts happily! Only twice have I ever had to use the plug-in engine warmer to start it. I also have never had a problem finding fuel for it. Yay for diesels!

i already have one - 2000 diesel VW beetle TDI. 40+ mpg. 150,000 miles.

why get a new car when the one you have is still perfectly serviceable? Plus, there's no warranty to void by using biodiesel in an older car.

I'm waiting for biodiesel made from used cooking oil (like on Maui), but as of now there's no retail biodiesel in New Jersey. Also contemplating converting to run on strait WVO - then the fuel is cheap as free and carbon neutral.

One downfall is finding a mechanic. The usual response is, "they come in diesel?!"

drive a dodge diesel pu on used vegie oil with a hydrogen injection 33 mpg cleaner than a prius clean exhaust pipe and no more french fry smell

I've honestly never seen a gas station without a diesel pump. I live in NJ.

My ideal car would be a tiny little diesel that runs as a generator that powers an electric motor. Like a diesel locomotive...small amount of diesel power can product a lot of torque to power a generator. Run bio-diesel or veggie oil and it's even cleaner...

The Chevy Volt could be the first vehicle to offer this combination.

I hate to burst the bubble, but the new diesels will NOT burn ANYTHING. They will all have very complicated emission system in order to meet the strict Tier 2 BIN 5 emissions regulations. Even professionally made biodiesel in anything more than 5% may cause huge problems and WILL VOID the warranty.

Just making sure you all keep the FACTS straight...is all.

Last time I checked (a long time ago), you could not register diesel cars in NY state due to emissions. But if it is possible, yes I would get a plug-in diesel hybrid in a NY minute.

I have a 2003 VW Jetta Tdi with 116,000 miles averaging 52 mpg. I love it and plan on owning it as long as I can.

There was a time when I was running Bio diesel however cost has surpassed dino making it economically unfeasible. If the Bio D cost comes down that i will be back on it.

The "association with loud, smelly trucks" persists because most Americans have never been exposed to anything better. Modern car diesels are amazing. I rented a diesel Ford Focus in Germany a few years ago, and it was so smooth and quiet I wasn't quite sure it was a diesel.

That being said, with current diesel fuel prices (at least here in SoCal), your diesel car would have to get 25% better mileage just to break even on fuel cost, not counting the extra expense of the diesel engine.

A diesel hybrid would be amazingly efficient, but given the difficulty of meeting the latest diesel emissions regs, isn't very likely to be produced.

Eliminating GHG emissions is going to require elimination of internal combustion engines of all sorts, anyway. Skip diesel, gimme electric.

Already have one! I drive a 2006 Golf diesel, and tank after tank I average over 50 MPG. Last one was a little under due to A/C use, but the one prior to that was 53 MPG. It's not at all unusual to get the SG close to 60-i was driving back from the suburbs today and got a respectable 59 MPG for the trip. And my SG is calibrated, and it's accurate-not like some built in systems. This one is dead on.