[elai]

Because there's a negative perception hump to get past in the usa. I tried suggesting a diesel, and everyone complains about how dirty it is and other myths.

There are diesels that get even better millage, like the Audi A2 with a mileage on it's diesel model ranging from 80 to 120 mpg. I never understand why car manufacturers don't make aerodynamic body designs for their cars. A honda insight with a diesel engine gets similar mileage.

[sp332]

It used to be difficult - to the point of being impractical - to make a small diesel car run cleanly. IIRC, the technology really only arrived about 5 years ago. Also, large trucks belching plumes of black soot were pretty common until recently, and this is how many people here still think of diesel.

Edit: reference http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_engine#Emissions