According to research, sales of pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) with a diesel engine grew 28-percent during 2020. Overall, auto sales declined over 14-percent, but the sales of diesel-powered vehicles are growing. With all of the buzz going around about going electric, it makes you think, right?

Among alternative fueled vehicle offerings, vehicles with diesel engines held 5 of the top 10 rankings for the fastest growing sales between 2019 and 2020. For years, full-size pickup trucks have been at the top of the list of most popular selling vehicles in America. Now, with more fuel-efficient and more powerful engines, sales seem to be climbing exponentially.

“It seems consumers are embracing the new generation of diesel technology more than ever,” said Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum.

With such a huge focus on emissions and electric vehicles, I wonder which direction things will go. There have already been announcements that fueled vehicle production would end by 20XX, but will that stand? Is electric the future and how soon is that? Per the sales reports, production of diesel-powered cars and trucks haven’t slowed a bit.

When you look at the data of the mileage newer and more advanced diesel engines are getting, there is no doubt there is an opportunity to save.  According to DTF, if every vehicle was powered by a newer diesel engine, the United States could save roughly $500,000,000 of fuel per year, equivalent to 15-percent of the entire car market switching to a battery-electric option which will contribute to using less fuel, saving money, and causing fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

For the first time, there was a diesel option available in all three mid-size trucks in 2020. Chevrolet’s Silverado 1500, RAM’s 1500 EcoDiesel, and Ford’s diesel-powered F-150. On top of that, you have each manufacturer’s full-size 2500 and 3500 trucks too. As the year went on, diesel options continued with the Jeep Gladiator, Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, and Cadillac’s Escalade. With more options available, sales will inevitably grow but you know it’s because of their power and efficiency stats.

I don’t see diesel-powered vehicles going anywhere nor do I see the sales slowing down either. What are your thoughts? Why do you think the sales of trucks have climbed? Let us know in the comments below. For more, stay tuned right here to Diesel Army.