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2009 VW Jetta TDI
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The 2009 VW Jetta TDI costs $4,755 more than the base Jetta S, but gets an increase of 9 mpg in the city and 11 mpg on the highway. Toss in the federal tax credit and the dropping cost of diesel, and it couldn’t be easier to go green. One Volkswagen spokesperson called diesel fuel the “alternative to alternative fuel.”
Automakers/Companies in This Article:
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Diesel Fuel Prices Drop Lower than Premium Gas
By: Jeffrey N. Ross, Autotropolis Editor
After we recently had the opportunity to test drive a pair of the latest diesel-powered sedans on the market, the 2009 VW Jetta TDI and 2009 Mercedes-Benz E320 BlueTEC, we kept in mind the premium of diesel prices over gasoline should be factored in when considering such cars. The fuel economy with diesels is great, but when prices to fuel the car is a dollar more per gallon, then the advantage starts to slip away. Now, in its latest weekly report, the Energy Information Administration or EIA (a branch of the U.S. Department of Energy) showed that diesel fuel prices are now a fraction of a cent less than the price of premium gasoline ($2.197 per gallon versus $2.198) and only 23 cents more than regular unleaded gasoline. With gasoline and diesel prices in a constant state of flux, who knows how long this will last, but it’s a good reason to consider a fuel-efficient, powerful diesel-powered vehicle as your next new car.
| For the week of Feb. 16, 2009, the average price of Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel dropped to $2.197 per gallon – a fraction of a cent less than premium grade gasoline.
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In July 2008, the height of recent discussions regarding bringing diesel-powered vehicles to the United States, Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel spiked at $4.771 per gallon causing many potential buyers to balk at the idea of paying more now to save what they thought was a little bit later. Then as gasoline prices fell toward its lowest average since the third week of February in 2004, diesel prices also began to fall but at a slower rate. As the price continues to tumble, the benefits of diesel-powered passenger cars is on the rise. These cars get much higher fuel economy, offer noticeable torque improvements and produce fewer greenhouse gases than their gasoline-powered counterparts.
Another advantage that owners of diesel cars will enjoy is a tax credit of the Internal Revenue Service by way of the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit. Currently, the IRS is offering tax credits on five vehicles with the credit ranging from $900 (for the Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC) and $1,800 (for the Mercedes-Benz GL320 BlueTEC), while both Volkswagen Jetta TDI models receive a $1,300 tax credit. With Kia and BMW also planning to bring diesel versions of their passenger cars, the amount of vehicles qualifying for this credit will definitely increase.
If fuel prices stabilize where they currently are or at least stay relatively level between gasoline and diesel, than the advantages for buying and owning a diesel-powered car will be noticeable to the environment and to drivers’ wallets.
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