Look it's the same story, poorer acceleration and fuel costs.....
1. Diesel units are heavier than Electrical counterparts because they are self reliant. They have to carry the fuel as well the generators onboard. Thus for two locomotives weighing the same, an electrical locomotive is almost always more powerful. That being the acceleration is that pronounced so as to affect travel times significantly!
2. Fuel Costs is a stupid excuse. When 70 of the power used by your electric locomotive is ultimately derived from a far in-efficient non renewable source of energy...
more... that is coal, I find it preposterous that Diesel engines are made scapegoats for causing pollution.
Infact the benefits of Diesel locomotives far outweigh their demerits....
And ultimately the average passengers does not give a damn whether it is a DMU or EMU ! He is more concerned with reaching his destination on time.....