Published: January 03, 2012

First U.S. Diesel Car Traveled 800 Miles For $1.38

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 3: FIRST U.S. DIESEL CAR

Profile America -- Tuesday, January 3rd. Concern over the price of oil along with air quality has renewed interest in the U.S. about cars powered with diesel engines. The first trip by a diesel-powered car in the U.S. began on this day in 1930, when C.L. Cummins drove a converted Packard sedan from Indianapolis, arriving in New York City three days later. He covered just under 800 miles for a total fuel cost of $1.38. Compared to regular gasoline engines, diesels get far more miles per gallon. Each year in the U.S., motor vehicles use 168 billion gallons of fuel --averaging just over 17 1/2 miles per gallon. Profile America is produced by the U.S. Census Bureau: Measuring America--People, Places, and Our Economy.

Sources: Kane's Famous First Facts, 5474
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 1102

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button).

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau