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Story by Erick Ayapana

During my online publication lab earlier this week, Professor Andrew DeVigal asked the class, “Why are you studying journalism?” Answers ranged from the desire “to tell a story” and the opportunity to “meet people you normally wouldn’t talk to.”

I’m studying journalism because I want to write about cars. I have loved cars since the age of five when I picked up my first Car and Driver magazine and read reviews about the Porsche 911, Chevrolet Corvette, Toyota Supra, etc….

But with the uncertainty of gas supplies and global warming, I’m also aware of the negative effects behind cars. When I moved to San Francisco six years ago, I was almost embarrassed to be a car fanatic in a city full of environmentalists and car haters.

I’m still a fanatic, but I’m more mindful of what car companies are doing to develop alternative fuel sources and cleaner engines – including diesel engines.

Your first memories of diesels most likely include the Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz sedans from the early 1980’s that would sputter along freeway onramps while spewing sulfur and particulates (that nasty black soot and smoke cloud) into the air from their tailpipes.

Those polluting beasts from the past are a huge reason why consumers can’t purchase a new diesel vehicle in five states, including California, due to strict emission laws. It’s unfortunate because diesel cars today are quieter, cleaner and more fuel-efficient than some of their gasoline-powered counterparts.

That could change for you diesel hungry Californians as soon as this month.

According to a CNN.com article released on Wednesday, “ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel will roll out to the nation’s pumps this month” which should allow car companies like Mercedes-Benz to sell clean burning diesel cars in California again. The Mercedes-Benz E320, for example, has been available to the rest of the country since 2003.

And last Thursday, Edmunds.com reported that Honda Motors will soon release a “next-generation” diesel engine that will run significantly cleaner than diesels we have seen in the past.

The CNN.com report predicts that these new diesel cars could take away the hybrid car’s crown in terms of price, fuel-economy and performance.

We shall soon see.

The new Honda diesel should be available by 2009, which should give you soon-to-be-college-graduates plenty of time to pay off those student loans and credit cards.