Diesel fuel contains between 18 and 30 percent more energy per gallon than gasoline. Diesel technology also offers a greater power density than other fuels, so it packs more power per volume.

http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/non-renewable/diesel.html#fromoil

Crude Oil yields more diesel per gallon, because gasoline by it's nature is a more highly refined product, and produces more wasted crude by-products.

While it's true older dirty diesels do contribute much more smog than gas engines, the newest clean-diesels are better than their gas counterparts. Especially when running on the latest ultra-low sulfur diesel fuels now at the pumps or BioD.

While most of the low-emissions vehicles get their low-smog ratings from the fact that the Hybrid-Electric package allows it to run on electric batteries. Combining diesel with electric hybrid packs will yield even better results. This is due to the inherent strengths of the diesel engine and it's ability to create torque at low engine speeds, which is ideal for generating electricity. The US Navy and locomotive industries have known this for 50-100 years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel-electric#Submarines
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel-electric#Locomotives

Everyone who has really investigated gasoline and diesel engines understands they each have their strengths and weaknesses. Gas is good for quick acceleration, diesel is good for moving heavy loads.

The real advantages of diesel engines are not the crude oil gains, which although significant do not decrease the US dependency on foreign oil. For me the biggest advantages for the diesel engine are BioDiesel fuels which can be grown right here on the American farm. No longer requiring our soldiers to steal oil from the other side of the world to support our lifestyle.

http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel.html

By creating exceedingly stringent NOx emissions, the US govt. has all but eliminated the ability to utilize our best truly alternative fuel. One that does not compete with humans or livestock for resources (like ethanol).

http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/ethanol.html

With modern CVT’s and hybrid packages, a smaller cubic inch diesel engine could out perform an equivalent gasoline engine on any sensible measure. Which leads me to wonder, why would someone spread untruths?

So it all depends on what your angle really is, doesn’t it?
Do you want to:
Cut fuel costs?
Cut US dependency on foreign oil?
Support American farmers?
Produce less toxic emissions.
Produce less smog.
Produce less refinery waste?
Go as far as possible on a tank of fuel?
Go as fast as possible between stations?
Feed big Oil company profit margins, because you’re a stockholder?

In the end, I know there will always be people who refuse to change their fuels. That’s fine, I would just make sure you’ve got your facts straight and from a reputable source before you go posting stuff on the Internet, lest you discredit yourself.

HotWheels,
I just wanted to make sure you know I was not flaming YOU. I agree with many of your thoughts, and hope they figure out a way to convert the algae to BioD real soon.

No, not at all...

Excellent post that you wrote, I wrote mine in a hurry, but you hit the nail right on the head...It's 01TJ who seems behind the times...

You are right though, Diesel-Hybrid drivetrains are the way to go.

Transmissions, driveshafts, differentials, U joints have all reached their pinacle, but things like hub mounted motors and the Hybrid Hydraulic Transmission are going to carry the 4x4 into the 21st century, mainly because that is the direction the military is going to...

From a military point of view, lose an engine, or a transmission, and you are retreating...

Lose a hub-mounted motor, and you have 3 left to complete your mission, not to mention slient and cool running.

As far as Algae and Biodiesel, these processes will slowly make their way into our fuel market. I think even the HUMMER H2O concept alluded to the fact that algae would produce hydrogen fuel for use in a fuel cell.