Several companies have DEHs in the pipeline which brings me to a related question. Years ago it cost about the same to drive my diesel Ford PU as it did to drive our Dodge sedan. Diesel, despite coming off the cracker sooner, now costs more so the truck is much more expensive to drive than the Dodge. Is the runnup in diesel price over gasolene simply supply and demand? Do I really want a DEH? Thanks for any guidance.

A well engineered diesel engine can be up to 40% more efficient than a gasoline engine with similar power output. Diesel fuel itself has a higher energy content than gasoline. If you have a modern and efficient diesel engine, even if diesel is a 25-30% premium at the pump it is still a good deal.

I've heard, but have no verification, that refineries can control, to a large extent, the production ratios refined products from crude oil. If demand for diesel increases, in theory they can increase capacity in exchange for decreasing capacity for some other product such as gasoline. I suspect this already happens in Europe where diesel cars are very popular.

I can't speak to your personal experience with the Ford vs. the Dodge other than to say it might not be an apples to apples comparison. How much weight you have to accelerate and decelerate can be a huge factor in FE for example.

BTW, who has diesel hybrids in the works? I think its a combination that has a lot of potential.

-dan