Future Cars
Online Community

Future Cars Tech
Flying Cars
Air Cars
Electric Cars
Hybrid Cars
Hydrogen Cars
Solar cars

Future Cars Reviews
Flying Cars
Air Cars
Electric Cars
Tribrid Cars
Hybrid Cars
Hydrogen Cars
Misc.

Future Cars Articles
What is OPEC?
Peak Oil Overview
Cars: Past and Present

Future Fuels
Electricity
Solar Energy
Biodiesel
Bioethanol
Hydrogen
Liquid Petroleum Gas
Methanol
Natural Gas
Biobutanol
Biogas
HDRD
ULSD
DMF
DME
Synthetic Fuels
Considerations
Fuel Comparison

Ultra-low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD)


A Non-Renewable Fuel

ULSD is simply conventional diesel fuel with a lower sulfur content than diesel. The EPA currently requires that most of the diesel fuel in the US—whether produced there or imported—is ULSD. The EPA does not consider ULSD an alternative fuel if that diesel is oil-based, but it does if the diesel comes from renewable sources.


CO₂ Emissions

Zero Net
ULSD does not reduce carbon dioxide emissions. It does, however, reduce others (see Advantages below)


Fuel Blends

Yes
ULSD can be blended with biodiesel


Infrastructure

In place
The current infrastructure is already being used for ULSD.


Advantages

• ULSD allows manufacturers to apply to diesel vehicles technologies to control the emission of nitrogen oxides (NO_x) and particulate matter (PM) that the presence of too much sulfur would not otherwise permit. Together, ULSD and the technologies are called Clean Diesel.


Disadvanatges

• ULSD offers no discernable difference in fuel economy or performance versus diesel.
• Lower sulfur content creates some corrosion problems because the fuel’s lubricity (XXXX) has been reduced. Additives, as well as a ULSD/Biodiesel blend can overcome this.
• ULSD may cause mechanical problems in older diesel vehicles.


The Future…

… is bright for biodiesel. Across the world, it is a rapidly expanding industry and is considered one of the most promising emerging fuels at the moment.


Future Fuels Resources