There are many scenarios that preppers are readying themselves for, and contrary to popular belief, these scenarios do not all relate to the rise of zombies. Of the many potential disasters that preppers consider, one is the threat of an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) attack. In the event of such an attack, many current vehicles would be rendered useless because of the widespread use of engine electronics. With a diesel engine, however, this is not the case.
As Luke Weil has recently pointed out, a diesel engine does not require the spark that gasoline engines require to start. In this case, preppers with a diesel-powered vehicle could still have access to a form of transportation that will have largely been eliminated by the EMP attack.
Weil went on to note that the diesel-powered car or truck could not include an automatic transmission. Instead, a manual transmission is needed so that it can be roll-started. In this case, preppers would be wise to park the vehicle atop a hill after each use so that starting the engine could be done through the simple use of gravity.
Of course, preppers should also consider storing fuel well before it is needed. Diesel tanks can be safely stored below ground so that they will not draw the attention of those who did not adequately prepare. While this requires a bit of effort and planning, these are the strengths of preppers and should prove to be very much worthwhile in the event of an EMP attack.