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Three more US states miss out on Mercedes-Benz diesels

 
6 1,610 views Aug 27, 2007

Three more US states miss out on Mercedes-Benz diesels

Three more US states miss out on Mercedes-Benz diesels

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Three more states in the US have adopted the same strict emissions regulations enforced in California, which means carmakers like Mercedes-Benz who’s current diesel models don’t meet the new regulations are forced to temporarily suspend sales of the oil-burners. The new states include Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Rhode Island, bringing the tally of states that 2008 model Benz diesels are banned from up to eight.

Mercedes has been eager to increase the popularity of diesels in North America and has been touting the benefits of its new clean-diesel Bluetec range. According to officials, the new Bluetec ML320 CDI due in roughly 12 months will be the first Mercedes diesel compliant in all 50 US states.

Lost sales in the three additional states won’t hurt Mercedes considerably as its diesel numbers are already very limited, and any extra cars are expected to be absorbed by the other 42 states.



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Comments (6)

  1. By HECTOR Posted: 8/27/2007 6:31pm PDT

    I fail to see how a C class bluetec can *pollute* more than a 7000 pound Escalade. Yet the Escalade and their like are very welcome in California, Massachussetts, New York and the other moronic States where diesels are almost banned.

    Just more proof that the politicians and local tree huggers have poisoned society too much with the global warming mumbo jumbo...
     
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  2. By Gus Posted: 8/28/2007 12:55am PDT

    See, one of the problems here in California is that diesel is more expensive than super-unleaded at every gas station I see. No one is going to buy one (or try one) when they see that the cost per mile is less or similar with a car that runs on regular, and regular is available at every station, where diesel is not.
    Until those issues are addressed, it doesn't matter that they are not allowed, they just won't sell (unless through some miracle they suddenly achieve 60 mpg in a car which would normally only get 25).
     
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  3. By Steve Posted: 8/28/2007 2:33pm PDT

    Gus, while diesel may be more very expensive there, its priced around the same as mid-grade petrol here. So its benefits are well known among Jetta TDI owners who get 50 mpg +. Hector, this isn't a "liberal tree-huger thing" I'm afraid money rabid conservatives are trying to keep people in the dark about diesels. If it were a liberal thing do you really think Escalades would slide under the radar of these so-called environmental protection laws? The bluetecs are set to beat the UK co2/km standards by so much they are expected to be exempt from London's congestion charge. There is definitely something more sinister afoot. They must have found some other way to measuring emissions which allows gas-guzzlers such as 2 and 1/2 ton and up suvs to slide under the radar while 45+ mpg diesel sedans get shot down. Maybe those states have emissions standards which go by the amount of pollution per gallon of fuel used instead of distance traveled because I'm sure when compared side by side the Escalade's co2/km rating would look atrocious.
     
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  4. By Gus Posted: 8/28/2007 7:08pm PDT

    Yep, and in Europe diesel is available everywhere.
    In Europe I would totally drive a diesel. Better mileage, less taxes (I think), some have really decent power, especially torque, which I like. And the side benefit of not being as flammable in a crash all make them perfect.
    But here it will be a while...
     
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  5. By Steve Posted: 9/4/2007 11:10pm PDT

    Just want to point out Merc UK emission numbers:

    194-202 CO2 g/km E320 Bluetec
    224-232 CO2 g/km E280
    231-244 CO2 g/km E350
     
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  6. By Jason Posted: 3/26/2008 6:20am PDT

    It's not CO2 emissions that are the problem for diesels, it's nitrous oxides (NOX) & particulate emissiions (that either deposit as grime or are absorbed into clouds and precipitate as acid rain). That's where diesel emissions are higher than those of conventional gasoline-powered vehicles.
     
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