Yes the reason is gasoline is taxed out the wazoo over there, thats why

That is changing. Due to their more lax environmental restrictions on diesel, they have pollution issues and are now considering a ban on diesels in the larger cities. While I do feel we over-regulate diesel motors here in the US, the sweet spot must lie somewhere between our regulations and the European regulations.

Yep, this is what I was about to post. Just search Google news for Europe Diesel. You'll find a trend going towards gasoline/hybrid now, and gasoline has now surpassed diesel sales in cars.

There is a possible unintended effect that may benefit us in the US. They European emissions diesel regulations may get tightened. If, and it's a big IF, but if they go with the US emissions standard over there....that would open the door to getting more diesel products here....since they would all be built to meet the same emissions. In that case, just think of all the options we don't have now! That would be cool! Currently, we pay a higher premium for diesel motors because the manufacturers have a higher cost for US diesel emissions equipment that isn't shared worldwide. If our standard would be adopted, that cost would be shared worldwide (or at least with Europe) and the premium for the diesel motor should be greatly reduced.

That, to tie it in to the OP's post, could cause a reduction in the price of the diesel option on the F150 down the road.

The regs have also hurt all diesel engines over 25 hp. Heavy equipement, farm tractors, over the road trucks, they all have similar issues. Kubota even has a fairly large engine in a home owner type tractor on a little bit larger chassis that makes 25 hp. Its probably really a 35 hp engine the deteune so the thing doesn't need DPF. I see this like being where we were with gas engines in the 1980's. They have the engines where they don't pollute much but the emission controls aren't where they need to be. Maybe in a few years things will be better. Or maybe even tighter regs will be in place and make it worse. Its my understanding that in California when they put in final Tier IV emissions for offroad equipment, they made it retro active, so all the heavy equpment had to be taken out of sevice and sold else where.

A good portion of diesel tax is road tax, which is designed to be paid by truckers. What we have over Europe is that the US has a huge fleet of Semi trucks that travel the country, and all use Diesel.

Back in the 80's, GM tried selling a diesel powered car, but failed miserably because they converted a gas engine, dummies. That soured people to diesel. Nissan had a diesel car for a few years, got exceptional economy, but failed, no one wanted a noisy, smelly car. VW was the only one to sell Diesel here in the US with the Rabbit, some are still on the road today, chuggin along on vegetable oil. Diesel also has the distinction of being truckers fuel here, so common folk shy away from it. If it weren't for these simple facts, Diesel would be much more popular here as it is in Europe.

Up here in IL/WI diesel is 20-40 cents more than 87, so it would be a wash. Until hard numbers are out on towing though, and that it can tow as much as the EB can, it is not on the radar for me. If a Diesel was something, then I would already have an F350 with one. I really do miss the clatter of one. Was at the dealer last week dropping my wheels off, and there was a 6.0 outside idling, man do I miss that sound. I don't miss the smell of the fuel though, or trying to pour the cetane boost in, or all the other maintenance involved.

My grandfather had a mid-80's diesel powered Toyota Corolla. It was not quick, but he loved the MPG that thing got. He used to joke that it could go almost anywhere for free. I just pulled the specs on it from Wiki....64HP and 86 ft-lbs. :eek: My last motorcycle had significantly more HP and torque! Of course, they probably weighted about the same...LOL