Diesel share declines in Western Europe

VW diesel vehicle

I've never been a big fan of the diesel versus hybrid debate. As hybrid technology is fuel independent, the whole debate seems rather illogical to me.

That certainly doesn't mean there isn't a greater role for clean diesel vehicles to play in the US, especially in the short term. Still, it seems too late to try to chase European levels of diesel adoption this late in the game. With a host of new technologies making gasoline engines much more efficient, a big rush to diesel seems unnecessary.

Ironically, even in Western Europe diesel technology appears to be losing share. In 2009, as small cars gained share in Europe, diesel vehicles lost about 7 percent share.