According to the latest data from the Diesel Technology Forum (DTF), sales of full-size diesel pickup trucks in the United States are up 23% over the first quarter of 2019 – more than double the sales of all cars and trucks for the quarter (11%).

“Half-year sales numbers for 2019 demonstrate a continued demand for diesel in vehicles that support America’s toughest jobs. Any consumer looking for a fuel-efficient, powerful option can find one in the diesel option of America’s favorite vehicle, the pickup truck,” said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum. “Diesel’s unmatched and unique combination of power, performance, reliability, fuel efficiency and low emissions is an essential asset to truck drivers across the nation. Diesel’s rugged power, towing capabilities, increased torque and outstanding driving range gets the job done, while at the same time helping the environment.”

Relative to a comparable gasoline model, the diesel option offers more fuel efficiency, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Recent advances in emission control technology, combined with the introduction of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel in 2006, have improved performance, reduced engine noise and fuel odor, and decreased emissions. Clean diesel technology in today’s properly maintained vehicles emits near zero levels of emissions, according to the DTF.

“More sales of diesels in the vehicle types American car and truck buyers prefer can deliver big benefits,” said Schaeffer. “If every full-size pickup sold today in America were a diesel, we could realize more than 500 million gallons of fuel savings in year. This would work out to be the same greenhouse gas emission savings gained if all of Toyota’s passenger vehicle sales were all-electric. It demonstrates there are many ways to get meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and we should embrace them all.”

All told, there are nearly 50 diesel-powered choices for American consumers in 2019. Current diesel offerings range from light-duty and heavy-duty pickup trucks to crossovers and sedans.