Comments on: Nein, Says Volkswagen To Diesel-Electric Hybrids

By: james braselton

james braselton — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:15:08 +0000

hi there wow hybrid tdi full size sadan 70 mpg hybride 2 passanger vehicals 158 mpg 261 mpg 300 mpg 420 mpg 550 mpg 700 mpg 1,400 mpg 2,100 mpg 2,400 mpg

By: James A. Burt

James A. Burt — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 21:45:14 +0000

Nich nein!! Sagen sie ja!!

By: William Boyle

William Boyle — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 21:26:11 +0000

Id love a Diesel/hybrid

Id also love it if it could seat 8 people because I have a large family

so, Diesel/hybrid SUV? that gets 40~50 mpg sounds possible and im possitive welcome in the American market

By: shelly

shelly — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:37:30 +0000

This car looks awsome i would love to drive it

By: Joseph D Basal

Joseph D Basal — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 23:55:48 +0000

I have owned overTwelve VW and Audi cars,
and I would like VW to build a Diesel electric Hybrid car suchasthe L1 concept car that gives you something like 157 plus miles per gallon ASAP Many of my friends would support this idea!!!

By: Kili

Kili — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 04:43:45 +0000

I currently own a 2006 diesel New Beetle.... the ONLY way I would upgrade/replace my car at this point is if someone came out with a diesel-electric hybrid. Would I pay the few thousand dollars above the few thousand extra I paid for diesel in the first place?

The answer is a resounding YES. If VW doesn't think there'd be a market for diesel-electric hybrids, then they aren't paying attention.

By: Eric Law

Eric Law — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 05:17:39 +0000

VW parades around these cars to get consumers excited about their brand and to show the oil companies what could happen if they stopped providing the auto industry with billions of dollars in kick backs for their poor performing cars. This is why diesel has not taken off in the US.

By: joe

joe — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 19:54:36 +0000

There is another possible variation on the plug in hybrid that avoid using extra batteries. This would be a plug in hybrid compressed air car. Let me explain my idea. When the car is recharging an electric motor is powering a 4-stage compressor which will be used as 4-stage expansion engine when the car is running. The heat of compression would be stored in an insulated tank filled with paraffin or a eutectic salt solution. These melt between 150 and 200 degrees fahrenheit and store a lot of heat while doing so. This heat would be withdrawn from storage while the car is running to reheat the expanding air, which becomes very cold as it expands.
Now comes the best part! The waste heat from a small gas engine (ie exhaust) can seriously boost this reheating which boosts the power and energy of compressed air engine. If it is a piston engine is used there is no need for a transmission and regenerative braking would be easy to incorporate. The power from the small gasoline engine can be used to turn the compressor motor as an alternator to power the electrical system and perhaps power a small electric drive motor as well. Or the compressor motor would be used as an electric drive motor. If this car needed an extra lead-acid battery or two it would be no big deal.

By: etcgreen

etcgreen — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 21:49:59 +0000

James,

My engineering team has been working in transportation for several years and while we initially supported the EV solution, we ran into such a long list of negative issues and ultimately total show stoppers, we simply had to admit the reality that EV's and Hybrids are not our Future. They are actually far from Green and unsustainable. If manufactured at large scale, their price will actually increase as their performance statistics will likely decrease. This is due to their high volume demand for rare earths and heavy metals. Peak Minerals will also likely result in a Peak Prius.

In small numbers - a few million per year - the EV's have some excellent justifications and applications, but to manufacture these at large scale to replace the majority of ICE vehicles on the planet would require we mine the minerals of Mars or master alchemy (fusion).

If you have deep pockets and can handle the occasional embarrassment of having your windshield soaped with the message - "Mineral Hog", go for it - all new technology needs fearless benefactors. There is always the possibility that graphine or something like it will provide some solutions.

etcgreen.com Article: EV's and Hybrids are not our Future

By: DonMiller

DonMiller — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 04:20:40 +0000

If true, what disappointing news about the VW L1! I went to the L.A. Auto Show in late 2009 with a prime objective to check-out the promoted second-generation L1 prototype, only to learn it didn’t make the trip. I see this car’s unique design, innovative engineering and construction — and “bragging-rights” mileage potential — as among many reasons to be seriously interested in purchasing one in “2013.” VW’s deep pockets and public relations quotes offered some promise this wasn’t just more automative vaporware. The indicated $25K sticker, though $10K over a Corolla, still seems justifiably-affordable when viewed from certain perspectives (including smiles-per-mile and collectability). I still WANT one, Volkswagen!