>>>On the emissions front - isn't most of the U.S. *way* behind California ?
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>>Not so much anymore - but I do remember a time when the first thing you would see the minute you crossed the California/other state border was huge car saleslots. And the last thing a Californian would do before he moved out of the state would be to sell his car, because it was so woefully underpowered and he'd lose about 5000$ off the resale outside the state.
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>>As far as diesel goes, in the last 5 years diesel fuel went from about 20 cents/gallon less than regular to 20 cents/gallon more than regular, at least here in Texas. That's another reason diesel isn't as popular here. And, on a purely personal note, some of us can't take the smell - even of the 'clean' diesel engines. In fact, I'd much rather be behind an older diesel that the owner has kept maintenance up on than one of the newer. It's a sinus migraine just waiting to happen.
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>Sometimes it gets up to a +50 cent/gallon differential. The only reason being padding the oil companies profits. They know commercial trucking is even more hostage to whatever the price is than the general (stupid) public.
>

Kinda figured as much, but my experience is only with Texas. Yeah, I've often wondered what makes mid-grade worth 25cents/gallon more than regular and 'premium' 15 cents/gallon 'better' than mid-grade. But then again, one of the most expensive Shell stations in Houston is the one right outside the Shell refinery. Go fig