Diesel
In short
Diesel is a fuel made from crude oil that is used in engines using compression to create ignition. It is commonly used in heavy vehicles like lorries, buses, and trains.
In plain words
Unlike petrol, diesel does not need a spark to burn. Instead, the engine squeezes the fuel so tightly that it gets hot enough to explode on its own. This makes it very efficient for moving heavy loads.
A simple example
A large delivery lorry uses a diesel engine to pull heavy goods across the country. The high pressure in the engine allows it to work harder than a small petrol car.
Why it matters
Diesel provides the power needed for global shipping and transport. However, it is often criticised because it can release more nitrogen oxides into the air than petrol.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse diesel with petrol; putting diesel in a petrol engine will cause the vehicle to fail immediately.