The U.S. added more than 280,00 new clean diesel passenger vehicles across the country last year, with Texas, California and Florida having the highest numbers of diesel vehicles, according to a Diesel Technology Forum analysis of the latest Vehicles in Operation (VIO) data compiled by IHS Automotive.
“This level of increase in registrations of new diesel cars, SUVs and light pickup trucks in the U.S. in 2016 is impressive particularly when you consider there were 25 percent fewer choices in the market compared to 2015," said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum. "It demonstrates the American consumer’s confidence in clean diesel vehicles and what they have to offer – the combination of a proven technology with high fuel efficiency, great driving range and no sacrifices in vehicle capabilities or performance."
Texas continued to be number one in the nation in total number of registered diesel vehicles ahead of California, Florida, Washington and Pennsylvania.
Total No. of Registered Diesel Vehicles in 2016
(Cars/SUVS/Light Pickup Trucks/Vans)
- Texas
- California
- Florida
- Washington
- Pennsylvania
- North Carolina
- Colorado
- Oregon
- Georgia
- Illinois
(Diesel Technology Forum analysis based on IHS Automotive 2016 vehicles in operation data, December 2016)
“The 2016 increase in diesel registrations was due to the expanding popularity and increasing number of choices in the light duty pickup market. This more than offset the slight decrease in diesel car registrations due to the drop-in number of choices available. Solid performances from both new and existing SUV and luxury sedans continue to demonstrate the utility of diesel engines in these segments,” Schaeffer said.
Three Northeastern states had the highest percentage of new diesel car and SUV registrations in 2016 led by Vermont (+35 percent), Maine (+29 percent) and New Hampshire (+12 percent).
Fastest Growth in Diesel Cars and SUVS (2015-16)
- Vermont, + 35.6 percent
- Maine, + 29.3 percent
- New Hampshire, + 12.1 percent
- Michigan, + 10.4 percent
- District of Columbia, + 8.5 percent
- Wisconsin, + 8.2 percent
- Oregon, + 7.8 percent
- Hawaii, + 7.1 percent
- Montana, + 6.7 percent
- Washington, + 6.3 percent
