Diesel fuel is a derivative of crude oil the same as gasoline, and they are both used to power engines, but that’s where the similarities end.  North Americans generally use three different types; D1 diesel, D2 diesel and D4 diesel.  The majority of highway and commercial applications use D1 and D2 diesel.

Diesel engines don’t require spark plugs due to a higher compression ratio, and diesel will usually get better gas mileage.  Here are some common uses for diesel fuel.

Freight
Trains, boats and trucks are used to ship freight all around the world.  And most of these vehicles use diesel fuel for power.  The fact that D1 and D2 diesel are reliable fuel sources helps keep the world’s business running along.  The timeliness of freight shipments is a big factor for many businesses to keep running smoothly.

Transportation
Whether you are hopping on a greyhound style bus for a lengthy trip or your kids are hopping on a school bus each morning, diesel fuel is supplying the power.  When you think of all the city buses, school buses and passenger buses, that’s an awful lot of diesel.

Construction Industry
Diesel is also used a lot in the construction industry.  Construction is known for heavy equipment, much of which uses diesel fuel to run.  Backhoes, bulldozers, forklifts, cranes and other equipment all use diesel.

Agriculture
There is also a lot of heavy machinery and equipment used in the agriculture industry, and much of it also runs on diesel.  This includes farm equipment like tractors, harvesters and other machinery.

Power Generators
Diesel generators work to provide power for larger applications than just a single piece of machinery.  The power generation may be for primary power or back up power, but it may be used in a host of different industries like forestry, mining, telecommunications or in hospitals.

Benefits
Lots of people like to point toward the negatives of diesel fuel, but there are several benefits, too.  The diesel engines of today are quieter than before and don’t need as much maintenance.

Diesel engines are typically more reliable and sturdy than gasoline engines, and the fuel cost per kilowatt is far less.  Gas engines burn quite a bit hotter than a diesel engine, which results in a diesel engine lasting longer.  For those that haven’t experienced diesel fuel, it is worth trying it out, and you may find yourself looking for ways to use it again after you do.

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This post is brought to you by Ben Miles, an auto mechanic servicing drivers for almost 10 years. For reliable D2 supply, he recommends DieselWise for a secure marketplace for buyers and sellers to connect.