Part 2/9:
The roots of diesel car popularity in Europe trace back to the oil crisis of 1973. This crisis, sparked by an OPEC oil embargo due to political tensions, led to a dramatic spike in oil prices and forced many nations to examine their reliance on foreign oil. France's response was the "Messmer Plan," emphasizing nuclear energy for electricity, while Germany sought alternatives but faced public opposition to nuclear power. The consequence of this pivot was the increased production of diesel fuel—an output that oil refineries struggled to sell due to declining demand for heavier fuel products.