Diesel vs. Gas Trucks: How Do They Compare?

One question we’re often asked is, “How do diesel vs. gas trucks compare?” Rechtien International Trucks can help you break down the pros and cons of diesel and gas trucks, so you can decide which is best for your business. Read on to learn more about the benefits and potential drawbacks of both types of engines! Then, explore our new and pre-owned inventory to find your next truck!

What Are the Diesel vs. Gas Trucks Pros and Cons?

Benefits of a Diesel Truck Over a Gas Truck

• Higher Torque & Towing Capacities: Compared to gas trucks, diesel trucks produce significantly higher torque. This results in the ability to tow heavier loads, making them excellent workhorses.
• Greater Fuel Economy: Diesel fuel is more expensive than regular fuel. However, diesel engines are usually much more efficient than gas engines, meaning you’ll make fewer stops during your daily operations.
• Long-Lasting Performance: It’s widely believed that diesel engines last longer than gas engines. This can mostly be attributed to their construction, which is much simpler than gas engines. With proper maintenance, it’s not uncommon for diesel engines to last 500,000+ miles.

Benefits of a Gas Truck Over a Diesel Truck

• Faster Acceleration & Higher Horsepower: Diesel engines have higher torque ratings going for them, but gas engines are often quicker to accelerate and produce a higher amount of horsepower. You’ll have an easier time speeding up in a gas-powered truck.
• Easier to Refuel: You may not be able to find diesel fuel at every gas station. Unless you plan ahead, this can be a problem if you’re planning to travel long distances.
• More Affordable to Maintain: Compared to gas engines, diesel engines don’t have spark plugs and are less complicated in their design. That doesn’t mean they’re less expensive to service, though. In fact, diesel engines often require costlier parts or parts that aren’t easy to find.

Gas vs. Diesel Engines: Technical Differences

If you’re one of those people who’s constantly wondering, “How does that work,” you’ll probably find the similarities and differences between gas vs. diesel engines very interesting. Keep the following bits and pieces of information in mind if you’re trying to decide between a gas or diesel truck:

• Diesel and gas engines are internal combustion engines. This means that inside the engine, the fuel is converted to energy. The opposite of an internal combustion engine is an external combustion engine, which produces heat in one area and transfers it to the rest of the engine.
• The ratio at which gas trucks tend to compress air and fuel is 10:1. For diesel trucks, the ratio ranges from 15:1 to 25:1. This higher ratio results in a hotter cylinder, and because diesel fuel ignites itself, spark plugs usually aren’t necessary.
• An engine’s efficiency is largely determined by the difference between its maximum cold and hot temperatures. The higher the compression ratio, the smaller the minimum/maximum difference in temperature. This is one of the reasons why diesel engines are so economical.

Find Your Diesel or Gas Truck at Rechtien International Trucks!

Rechtien International Trucks is your source for diesel and gas trucks for sale. Contact us to schedule a test drive at one of our South Florida locations, or visit us in person to browse our inventory and discuss your financing options!