With new catalytic converter and particulate filter technology, diesel cars will get similar mileage, emission levels and performance as gas-electric hybrids. Gas-electric hybrids will still be a little cleaner and more fuel-efficient in urban driving conditions, but the difference will not be big enough to say that gas-electric hybrids are a lot more environmentally friendly.

Here's a clip from Toyotas annual report 2003:

"Based on its Toyota Diesel Clean Advanced Technology
(Toyota D-CAT) concept, Toyota is developing engines with
cleaner emissions by introducing such advanced technologies as
the Diesel Particulate NOx Reduction (DPNR) catalytic converter
system. Combined with Toyota’s extremely high-precision, electronically
controlled common rail fuel injection system, Toyota’s
newly developed DPNR catalytic converter system achieves initial
reductions of 80% in particulate matter and 50% in NOx in diesel
engine exhaust fumes."

Johan Erlandsson

See mileage data for my 00 Prius.
See my environmental performance (still in swedish only, feel free to ask).

And what about diesel gas-electric hybrids?

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Well, I still haven't seen any diesel-electric hybrid (except submarines ). Maybe it is a technical issue? I can imagine the continous stopping and starting of the engine is harder to achieve when there is no spark plug.

Johan Erlandsson

See mileage data for my 00 Prius.
See my environmental performance (still in swedish only, feel free to ask).

One major marketing problem with diesel is its track record.

My dad bought a new Isuzu diesel in the 70's that the mfg's & magazines etc touted
a new generation engine, only for him to be let down with not so great MPG, noisy and it was sometimes difficult to start in the Minnesota winter.

Then later the same claims were made again and now generally if you see a car with the back charred black billowing toxic stinging black smoke it's almost always a:
Mercedes Diesel
Volvo Diesel
VW Diesel.
Interesting these problem polluters all had "Next generation" engines that were said to be cleaner, easier to start, better.

I'm not suprised that todays new generation engines are said to be better.
Marketing has a big hill to climb.
Steve

Efficient drivers do it better.
1003 miles a tank personal record. 74MPG calculated. HCH1 CVT

From what I've read, Europeans don't do hybrids and Asians don't do diesels. That causes a small problem.

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As the only (?) european member in this community, let me just brief you shortly about hybrid and diesel sales here. The Prius I sold very poorly, and the HCH I think is not sold at all. The reason the Prius I never got popular I think is due to that congestion problems are not as acute in Europe as in parts of the US, the mileage is not that much better than a diesel, performance was not impressing and the design is honestly not very sexy.

The Prius II on the other hand has been embraced by the press and is selling quite good. I don't think we have the same waiting list as you guys though. The Prius II is for some reason much higher priced than the Prius I here. It's luxury car prices on it.

Diesel sales are huge in Europe compared to US sales, especially in southern european countries. And now the new catalytic converters and particulate filters (no more black clouds) are coming which will boost sales even more I believe.

Johan Erlandsson

See mileage data for my 00 Prius.
See my environmental performance (still in swedish only, feel free to ask).

Johan,
Glad to have members from across the globe. May I offer a possible explanation for the Prius II price in Europe. Or, rather, the price in the US. Toyota needs to plant seeds for a hybrid market in the States because the technology is met by skeptics. In Europe and Asia, from what I gather, citizens are already well educated and informed about the consequences of gas guzzlers. If nothing else, they actually care. Because of this, the Prius II can sell for an appropriate price in Europe (after all, it is the most advanced market automobile ever created) but must carry a significant price decrease in America.

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See what I found from March 30, 2004:
FedEx Diesel-electric Delivery Truck



Seems like it is a full hybrid. It even has a particulate trap, and mileage improvement by 33-50 % compared to a regular diesel (the press release is a bit unclear on this point).

Now I'm REALLY waiting for a diesel-electric car!

Johan Erlandsson

See mileage data for my 00 Prius.
See my environmental performance (still in swedish only, feel free to ask).

incorrect monfrair...toyota currently hold the fuel economy record for diesles. a diesel echo acheived...cant remember 127 km or miles on one liter of gas.

Hidden Views Photography

I'm talking about the general population, not the auto companies.

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