Let’s play a game: is Diesel a Republican or a Democrat?

Is Diesel a Republican or a Democrat? Quite a weird and trick question, let’s say. The question, as well as the idea, was not ours, but rather conceived by the Diesel Technology Forum, a very important institution within our world. Also, an American one. And we know that these weeks are crucial for the US presidential elections. So, let’s read the brilliant words by the Diesel Technology Forum.

The matter of efficiency

What party affiliation would Diesel be – Republican red or Democrat blue? Some would immediately see red and align with the ideology most associated with Republicans – fossil fuels. But Diesel is a truly conservative when it comes to fuel consumption. Diesel’s dominance as the prime mover in 15 sectors of the global economy has shades of both red and blue. But what about diesel’s efficiency, near zero emissions performance and renewable fuel suitability? That a diesel engine does not need to use diesel fuel to do its work, instead perform with 100 percent renewable biofuels a trait that might be aligned more with Democratic blue-state ideology.

Is Diesel a Republican or a Democrat? None of them (or both of them?)

The fact is that neither red nor blue traditional political labels fit well for Diesel. Sure, it’s a traditional technology that uses fossil fuels, but it is also a technology that utilizes an increasing amount of renewable biofuels that are low carbon, and can contribute toward achieving climate change goals – today. And it’s a technology platform that has progressively evolved to achieve near zero emissions for all new engines large and small.

In the end, Diesel reaches across the aisle – to be both the economically powerful technology to get the job done today while advancing the clean air and greenhouse gas reduction benefits needed to be a sustainable technology for tomorrow.