Are diesel engines really that bad?

Geoffrey Lean in the Telegraph blames diesel cars for pollution, forgetting that almost ALL commercial transport, on sea and land, runs on oil fuel. Modern diesels do not smoke and with the filters and catalysts they are pretty clean engines. What is the truth? Are diesels really as bad as all that, and how do they really compare with petrol engines for emissions?

Asked on 15 March 2015 by Andy Taylor

Answered by Honest John
There is no alternative for heavy transport and truck diesels. They are now fitted with diesel particulate filters and Nox traps that routinely have to be cleaned or replaced every 80,000 miles or so. Some heavy trucks have been converted to CNG in the Far East, but this involves carrying a virtual bomb rack of CNG containers. However, there is no need for cars to have diesel engines and over a seven year life of a new car an EU6 diesel engine will require so many expensive component replacements that its total running costs will usually exceed those of a petrol engined car driven over the same period.
Similar questions
How do I know if I have a EA 189 engine? My car is a Skoda Octavia 2012 SE TDI CR 1986cc.
I currently run a 2006 Honda Accord 2.2 i-CTDi and have been using Shell V-Power diesel fuel exclusively. I was just wondering what your thoughts are and why you singled out BP Ultimate diesel as your...
How much would it cost to modify a 2012 Ford Transit Van to avoid ULEZ charge?