[Newsseeker]

For the statistical results, Organization for Petroleum Industry (Petder.org.tr)’s 2006 annual report is consulted. Some highlights from the report are as follows:

- In 2006, diesel consumption has increased around 8.4% to 14.2 million meters when compared to 2005
- But between 2005 and 2006, gasoline consumption is decreased 3.4%, 3.4 million cubic meters.
- The total increase of white products(diesel & gasoline) consumption has increased 6% from 2005 to 2006.
- The LPG used for cars has increased 7%.
- Total amount of products used for transportation (diesel, gasoline and LPG) has increased 6.3%.

As seen from the numbers, Turkish thirst for oil has not been decreased but the consumers are shifting to diesel from gasoline. In reality, the diesel cars’ popularity are increasing day by day.
http://www.turkishweekly.net/comments.php?id=2535

[Tanada]

The simple fact is a diesel can be modestly modified and will burn darn near any oily substance with the right blend of viscosity and energy density (Cetane number). These can range from anything like used motor oil, coal oil, jet fuel, lamp oil, waste vegetable oil, heated tallow, heated lard, heated asphalt and on and on and on.

The keys are having the right viscosity so that it will inject properly without straining the pumps or injectors too much, the right temperature goes long way towards providing that for plant/animal oils and the heavier grades of crude oil (Diesel-4, Bunker-C, bunker-D)

If I had access to any of those sources I would go for a diesel in a heartbeat. Especially in a climate like that of Turkey where gelling is less of a problem than it would be around here in the Great Lakes.

[Newsseeker]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Raphael', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Tanada', 'T')he simple fact is a diesel can be modestly modified and will burn darn near any oily substance with the right blend of viscosity and energy density (Cetane number). These can range from anything like used motor oil, coal oil, jet fuel, lamp oil, waste vegetable oil, heated tallow, heated lard, heated asphalt and on and on and on.

[misterno]

I lived in Turkey for 23 years so let me tell you a few things

As you can imagine they have the highest priced gasoline in the world. (as of 04/03/09 it is around 6.5-7/gal) Electricity, natural gas and other sources of energy is also very expensive. Therefore people came up with creative ideas to cope with it.

First, average car has an engine smaller than 1300cc and %90 of the cars are stick shift which burns fuel more efficiently. Also, Turkey has the most number of LPG powered cars in the world, again not a government decision but people's choice. Because for political reasons government does not tax cooking gas as high as gasoline. So cooking gas (LPG) still a derivative of crude oil is sold for half price and therefore used in the cars. But not every vehicle can use LPG.

Since energy is extremely expensive, saving and conserving energy is like a tradition that is taught to kids. I remember my father's yelling at me to shut the light of whenever leaving a room. At every point in life, you are forced to conserve energy. If you idle a car on the street more than 10 seconds, people stare at you like you are a rich very wealthy person.

On the other hand since energy is expensive, transportation cost is expensive therefore everything that is transported is expensive. Cars are very light and in an accident you see several people got killed due to no crash test by government. That is why Chinese brand Cherry is selling like hot cakes in Turkey. 6 months ago I saw an ad in a Turkish newspaper whie serving in the army, a cherry brand jeep selling for 30K Turkish Lira so it is like $18K which is unheard of.

Turkey also has the highest tax on cars and more tax on jeeps and SUVs. but car demand is never down and if you go to any big cities you will see streets are full of cars and traffic is always jammed. Car sales are doing exceptionaly well compared to other industries. This is because low interest rates (%1.5-2/month) in Turkish standarts. It used to be higher. And people seldom use their cars to go to work but usually for pleasure.