Hybrid Diesels - Page 3 - GreenHybrid

ChicagoHCHII · #21 (**permalink**) 04-27-2008, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doasc

FWIW, it appears that there are a number of diesel hybrid concept cars. Two notable ones are a 70 MPG VW Rabbit/Golf and a 40 MPG BMW X-5.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/06/auto...ion=2008030715

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...TO01/803040452

The CNN article is an interesting read. Can't tell if the author dislikes diesels, hybrids or both. He seems to point out the negatives for each.

The first article was written in early March, in the era of $3/gasoline. Now that its late April in my area its now $4. This summer it is likely to spike to $4.5 and perhaps beyond. Paying an extra $2k for the hybrid diesel over a gas hybrid may result in a FE increase of 40% for a fuel price increase of 30%. That 10% differential will pay that 2,000 back fairly quickly in the era of $4 gas/$4.50 diesel.

The author of the first article is obviously not that good at math. Consider his statement "Buyers could also lose another big cost benefit: excellent resale value. Diesel engines last longer than gas engines so diesel cars are worth more after years of driving."...IMO having a higher resale value is a BENEFIT to new car buyers.

ken1784 · #22 (**permalink**) 04-27-2008, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChicagoHCHII

The first article was written in early March, in the era of $3/gasoline. Now that its late April in my area its now $4. This summer it is likely to spike to $4.5 and perhaps beyond. Paying an extra $2k for the hybrid diesel over a gas hybrid may result in a FE increase of 40% for a fuel price increase of 30%. That 10% differential will pay that 2,000 back fairly quickly in the era of $4 gas/$4.50 diesel.

VW diesel-hybrid is DOA
"The word came down yesterday from Auto Motor und Sport that the Volkswagen TDI hybrid Golf concept that debuted in Geneva wouldn't make the transition to production."
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/23/v...hybrid-is-doa/

Ken@Japan

indyr4400 · #23 (**permalink**) 04-28-2008, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sungod18

Now if they could put a diesel engine in a Volt...

Full electric power around town, then high mpg while highway cruising. Win win for GM!

They already had one... The GM Precept got 80 mpg. in Jan. 2000 but GM decided that we didn't need it. They decided that we needed Hummers instead... When will they wake up and smell the coffee.

Check this link out. http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...s/1267946.html

Take notice to this: This was in the year 2000
Batteries: Proposal 1: Lithium polymer, 350-volt, 3kw-hr usable capacity in seven 50-volt modules.
Proposal 2: Nickel metal hydride, 350-volt, 3kw-hr usable capacity in 28 12-volt modules.

kengrubb · #24 (**permalink**) 04-30-2008, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indyr4400

They already had one... The GM Precept got 80 mpg. in Jan. 2000 but GM decided that we didn't need it.

Don't forget the Ford Prodigy or the Chrysler ESX-3 diesel hybrids which hit 72 MPG. This was the end result of PNGV, but Dubya cancelled PNGV and started FreedomCar to save us all with hydrogen.

kerpal · #25 (**permalink**) 05-01-2008, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indyr4400

They already had one... The GM Precept got 80 mpg. in Jan. 2000 but GM truck part decided that we didn't need it. They decided that we needed Hummers instead... When will they wake up and smell the coffee.

Check this link out. http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...s/1267946.html

Take notice to this: This was in the year 2000
Batteries: Proposal 1: Lithium polymer, 350-volt, 3kw-hr usable capacity in seven 50-volt modules.
Proposal 2: Nickel metal hydride, 350-volt, 3kw-hr usable capacity in 28 12-volt modules.

Why do they want to use hummers instead?? I mean, there are other diesel trucks out there right?

kerpal · #26 (**permalink**) 05-01-2008, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indyr4400

They already had one... The GM Precept got 80 mpg. in Jan. 2000 but GM truck part decided that we didn't need it. They decided that we needed Hummers instead... When will they wake up and smell the coffee.

Check this link out. http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...s/1267946.html

Take notice to this: This was in the year 2000
Batteries: Proposal 1: Lithium polymer, 350-volt, 3kw-hr usable capacity in seven 50-volt modules.
Proposal 2: Nickel metal hydride, 350-volt, 3kw-hr usable capacity in 28 12-volt modules.

Why do they want to use hummers instead?? I mean, there are other diesel trucks out there right?

rickallen · #27 (**permalink**) 05-03-2008, 05:37 PM

One problem that might present itself in developing a diesel hybrid is that diesels start with compression not spark plugs. So using an auto stop type hybrid would be difficult because a quick startup after shutting down at a stop would be hard to create in a diesel. If a hybrid diesel used a system similar to the HCH and the battery just "assisted" the already efficient diesel engine, it could be more feasible.