Electric vehicles are the better option for the USA than converting transportation by car to diesel.

The USA refineries produce far more gasoline than Europe or Japan. But, the land mass used in transportation if far greater than the other two First World powers.

There is some 'touring' in cars in Europe and Japan, but, to the extent of the USA. 

In order for the USA to produce more diesel, assuming that is, there will be more diesel cars, the refineries would require large investments in changing their processes. There is no reason to make such investments, but, to support the change to Electric Vehicles and it's infrastructure. 

The illustration above came from this power point (click here).