What is the difference between Conventional Diesel and Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD)?
The US government has federally mandated conventional diesel (or #2 diesel fuel) to become Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel for all on-road applications as of September 15th, 2006. California has gone even further, mandating ULSD fuel for both on- and off-road applications as of September 1, 2006. The US consumer perception that diesel fuel is dirty is based on older diesel standards that are now being revised. Europe implemented ULSD over 15 years ago. More than 50% of new vehicles sold in Europe are diesel cars. ULSD is cleaner fuel than conventional diesel, but more importantly, ULSD enables the next generation of emission control devices. With lower sulfur content, new particulate filters can be used that would otherwise be overwhelmed with sulfur to dramatically reduce heavy pollutants. New diesel vehicles should enter the US market once ULSD is available nationally. Besides lowering sulfur content by 485ppm, ULSD has 13% less particulates, 1% less energy content and costs appr
