Comments on: Internet Chatter: Diesels Are on the Rise

By: front bumper

front bumper — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:48:24 +0000

With all of the alternative Diesel fuels on the horizon, why not a hybrid diesel? If we can get diesel from other sources, isn’t this the way to go? Where else can we get gasoline? I am for a Diesel plug-in.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:53:48 +0000

Simple economics...someone once mentioned the problem with diesels always overlooked: if more people used diesel, the greater demand want would raise its price.
Coupled with the smaller yet still existant price premium for diesel, the advantage of diesel over hybrid would be erased quickly.

But I do admit, hybrid TDI is way cool.

By: Jakub Kudlacz

Jakub Kudlacz — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 20:05:43 +0000

Effective June 1, 2006, refiners and importers nationwide are now required to ensure that at least 80 percent of the volume of the highway diesel fuel they produce or import is ULSD-compliant.

The Audi 3.0 TDI engine delivers fuel economy levels up to 14.5 l/100km with a CO2 mass emission of only 282 g/km.

Starting in 2008 Audi will bring 3.0 TDI to Q7 and new A4, it is also expecting to put it into new A5 (at least I hope they do).

A hybrid TDI could probably give you between 70-90 mpg and you may have to pay 5000$ more for that technology.

Let's do some math.
I have a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix and get average 21mpg.
Based on http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/15949.shtml
it costs me 2142$ to drive 15K miles a year. (I live in CA so its more like 2356$ since I pay about 3.30$ for each gallon of gas)

If I had hybrid TDI, and pay same for gas or bit more lets say 3.45$ for diesel. Let's say I will take the average of hybrid TDI so fuel consumption would be 80 mpg. My yearly cost of driving 15K miles a year would be 646.87$. I would save 1709.16$ a year. So within 3 years I made my money back.

My next purchase will be a car with TDI. Audi just introduced a pototype of A3 in Europe with Hybrid TDI technology.

By: Elvis

Elvis — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 22:09:59 +0000

Some of these Views on diesel are right out of 1970's. The dirty truck diesel is not what the new cars are about.

The new VW diesel will meet the most stringent clean air standards... Tier II BIN 5 Look into Popular Mechanics article. It won't even require UREA. That makes larger engines burn clearner.

By: LM

LM — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 18:13:28 +0000

Not only do the upcoming Tier 2 Bin 5 diesel vehicles not produce more "smog-forming pollution" than gas engines, they produce significantly less, mainly because there are virtually no evaporative VOC emissions associated with diesels.

As far as PM emissions are concerned, the current generation of diesel vehicles in the U.S. are equipped with diesel particulate filters which have been shown to reduce exhaust PM levels to below those of gas vehicles.

By: Jack

Jack — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:52:49 +0000

Diesel particulate matter is extremely dangerous because of its size and ability to block lung alveoli. (PM0.1-google it!) However, I don’t know if “clean diesel” is that worse or better than gasoline cars in terms of PM. I know the sulfur content of the fuel is just as important as the car itself. Personally I like CNG as its cheap, burns the cleanest.
On a pure efficiency basis its obviously better than non-hybrid gasoline vehicles.

By: Joe

Joe — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 10:45:25 +0000

Everyone seems bent on the emissions that diesels are emitting… Biodiesel has NO harmful emissions and within the next 2-3 years will be available everywhere normal diesel is sold and will be plentiful to the point it will be cheaper than normal diesel. Granted not all diesels will be able to run on more than a 5% biodiesel blend without modification, but that will change. Chrysler alone is certifying their Jeep CRD to run on B20 (20% biodiesel). So, is there complete justification for the negative view on the upcoming diesels?

By: Andreas

Andreas — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 10:21:43 +0000

Americans, what u see so far as Diesel is very old tec. (mostly because of the poor quality of Diesel in the US) You cant get all the quality Diesel have in Europe with 2nd class fuel. I do own two Diesels (Rabbit TDI and Benz C220 CDI) and there is no shaking and no noise INSIDE that is much different from a gasoline vehicle. With Bluetec added the NOx Problem is gone. With particle filters (standard on a lot ofe European cars) the smog problem is limeted. So upgrade to the best avail tec and try it!

By: TD

TD — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 00:34:46 +0000

Diesels will produce more smog forming pollution than gas engines. Plugin gas hybrids are the best option for now.

By: Stan Smart

Stan Smart — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 23:15:39 +0000

I think we're still at the "edge" of several promising technologies and combinations ("hybrid") thereof.

My main dislike of diesels is noise and roughness. Cleaner burning fuel that the US is mandating is making for soot-free diesel. I am not impressed with a $60,000 Euoro-diesel that shakes and "rattles" ... even though newer models are improved, who would spend that level of $$$ for a non-quiet/ un-smooth ride?