Diesel vs. Gasoline Engines: Which Are Best for Your Business?
The diesel versus gasoline debate isn’t really about the fuel itself—it’s about how the engines using that fuel operate. While both power millions of vehicles on the road today, diesel and gasoline engines work in fundamentally different ways, and those differences have a real impact on performance, efficiency, and cost.
Whether you’re choosing a vehicle for your business or trying to decide what’s best for your business needs, understanding how these two engine types compare can help you make the right choice. Let’s break down the key differences between diesel and gasoline engines.
Diesel Engines vs. Gasoline Engines
The History
Gasoline engines were the first to be invented back in 1876. Since steam-powered engines were becoming more expensive to operate and were dirty, releasing a ton of smoke and pollutants into the air, alternative solutions had begun to be looked into. Still, these first combustion engines were highly inefficient as well, only using 10% of the fuel to power a machine. A young man named Rudolf Diesel thought he could do better, and better he did with the invention of the diesel engine and its fuel in 1892.
The Differences
The Spark
While both gas engines and diesel engines have similar component parts and use internal combustion and a series of mini-explosions to convert either diesel fuel or gasoline to energy that then moves parts in a machine, the difference is in how these explosions happen.
In a diesel engine, air is compressed. According to the laws of physics, compressed air turns hotter. The fuel then ignites this hot air for power. In a gas engine, the fuel is mixed with air that is then compressed. Spark plugs then ignite the mixture of gas and air to provide the power for movement. There is no spark in a diesel engine.
The Fuel Injection
In gas engines, fuel is either injected via a port injection or a carburetor. The port system takes hot air and injects it into the fuel before a stroke. A carburetor mixes the fuel and air before it is then directed to the cylinder to be compressed. In diesel engines, fuel is injected into cylinders. This is the process that continually supplies fuel to your vehicle’s engine so that it continues to run. Without fuel (as you may have experienced if you’ve ever run out of gas), your vehicle is going nowhere fast because there is nothing to power the vehicle within the engine.
Which One Is Best for Your Business?
For most commercial operations, diesel engines are the clear winner. Here’s why: diesel fuel contains more energy per gallon than gasoline, which translates to better fuel economy—especially important when you’re running a fleet or heavy equipment. Diesel engines also last longer and require less frequent maintenance than gasoline engines, reducing downtime and long-term costs.
If your business relies on trucks, construction equipment, generators, or any heavy machinery, diesel is typically the more cost-effective and reliable choice. The upfront cost may be higher, but the fuel efficiency, durability, and torque power of diesel engines deliver better value over time for businesses that depend on their vehicles and equipment day in and day out.
Ready to Get Reliable Fuel Delivery?
Having fuel is crucial to having your vehicles in good working order. OilWorks is a top-rated diesel fuel supplier in Central Ohio, supplying your business with the diesel fuel, motor oil, antifreeze, and other lubricants it needs so you can continue to serve your customers. Contact us for all your bulk fuel and lubricant delivery needs!