Diesels versus hybrids. Let's get it on.
For a couple of months, DaimlerChrysler has been trying to build buzz around its newest Jeep Liberty, a diesel version.
Earlier this month, Chrysler began shipping the new model to dealers in an attempt to gauge consumer interest.
There hasn't been much. Of course, Daimler isn't trying that hard to market the car yet, only the idea of diesel. Daimler believes that the better fuel efficiency offered by diesels will lure American buyers to diesel.
Many states, including California and New York; however, will not allow diesels to be sold in their states because diesels still emit pollutants that are known to be smog-producing and carcinogenic.
Perhaps those laws could change, but why?
Advanced gasoline engines are 10 percent less efficient than diesels, but they pollute less. That balance equals out in my book.
Hybrids versus diesels
Some analysts have gone so far as to say that hybrid vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius, Honda Accord Hybrid, and Ford Escape hybrid, are too expensive, and that diesels should be the powertrain of choice until hydrogen takes over.
Yet, these same diesels, as well as advanced gasoline engines can each be integrated with a hybrid powertrain. Each of these hybrid combinations would create significantly more efficient vehicles than either diesel or advanced gasoline engines.
The hybrid powertrain is simply more effective and efficient than simple internal combustion powered vehicles. With endless combinations, including hydrogen and fuel cells, hybrid vehicles can drive us into the future, creating and perfecting the necessary automotive technologies to make the hydrogen economy a reality.
More importantly, hybrids allow consumers the ability to make a choice, an important financial choice, that can empower individuals to help end foreign-oil dependency, to help fight SMOG, global warming, and other environmental damage.
And in pure price? The average hybrid is about $3000.00 more than standard cousins, minus the Prius, which has no conventional comparison.
The 2005 Jeep Liberty Diesel starts at $25,125, while a similar, conventional Liberty starts under $23,000. That's more than a $2000.00 difference.
Diesels hold some promise, but the technology is not even comparable to hybrids. An investment in hybrid technology is an investment in the future, diesel just as gas, will soon become the past.
Earlier this month, Chrysler began shipping the new model to dealers in an attempt to gauge consumer interest.
There hasn't been much. Of course, Daimler isn't trying that hard to market the car yet, only the idea of diesel. Daimler believes that the better fuel efficiency offered by diesels will lure American buyers to diesel.
Many states, including California and New York; however, will not allow diesels to be sold in their states because diesels still emit pollutants that are known to be smog-producing and carcinogenic.
Perhaps those laws could change, but why?
Advanced gasoline engines are 10 percent less efficient than diesels, but they pollute less. That balance equals out in my book.
Hybrids versus diesels
Some analysts have gone so far as to say that hybrid vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius, Honda Accord Hybrid, and Ford Escape hybrid, are too expensive, and that diesels should be the powertrain of choice until hydrogen takes over.
Yet, these same diesels, as well as advanced gasoline engines can each be integrated with a hybrid powertrain. Each of these hybrid combinations would create significantly more efficient vehicles than either diesel or advanced gasoline engines.
The hybrid powertrain is simply more effective and efficient than simple internal combustion powered vehicles. With endless combinations, including hydrogen and fuel cells, hybrid vehicles can drive us into the future, creating and perfecting the necessary automotive technologies to make the hydrogen economy a reality.
More importantly, hybrids allow consumers the ability to make a choice, an important financial choice, that can empower individuals to help end foreign-oil dependency, to help fight SMOG, global warming, and other environmental damage.
And in pure price? The average hybrid is about $3000.00 more than standard cousins, minus the Prius, which has no conventional comparison.
The 2005 Jeep Liberty Diesel starts at $25,125, while a similar, conventional Liberty starts under $23,000. That's more than a $2000.00 difference.
Diesels hold some promise, but the technology is not even comparable to hybrids. An investment in hybrid technology is an investment in the future, diesel just as gas, will soon become the past.
Labels: Accord hybrid, clean diesel, Escape hybrid, Ford, Ford Escape hybrid, Foreign Oil Dependency, fuel cells, fuel efficiency, global warming, Honda, Hybrid Vehicles, prius, toyota
posted by Dahcredyns at
1:00 PM
4 Comments:
Jetta TDI diesel is only $1000 more
than the gasoline version. Similar
figures for MB CDI cars. According to USA Today test the Jetta achived
13mpg better mileage than the Prius. Jetta and Golfs seem to be getting better MPG tha EPA estimate. Hybrids get less and diesel cars last forever. Do the
batteries in a hybrid whick cost
$3000-5000 more than the gasoline version. Did I forget to mention how safe it is to have diesel in
tank in an accident. Gasoline tanks are a potenial bomb.
afterone years ownership of my Jetta TDI the mpg is between 40-55
most typically in mixed driving 45mpg and the newer TDI has even better MPG thanks to an even more advanced direct fuel injection
I live in Los Angeles and I can achieve over 60 mpg and even close to 70 mpg in urban driving in a Prius. The only time I ever average 45 mpg is at 55 mph on the freeway, which is how USA Today tested the Prius. My commute, and the commute of millions of others, revolves around congestion.
More important, your TDI in urban traffic, pollutes far more than does my Prius and cannot match Prius fuel efficiency in stop and go traffic, PERIOD.
As government and University research indicates, congestion is the future of the American drive, which makes stop-and-go driving, not highway driving, the most important criterion.
Additionally, your Jetta TDI diesel could be 20 to 30 percent more fuel efficient if it were a diesel hybrid. While that might not matter in terms of small cars, it will matter in terms of SUVs. Diesel will not be enough for trucks and SUVs and all Americans are NOT only going to drive vehicles like my Prius and your TDI.
More important, experimental hybrids and plugin hybrids already demonstrate that hybrids in the near future could achieve 100 to 250 mpg, something your TDI has no chance of achieving - virtually pollution free.
Hybrid technology is an EMERGING technology, it is ONLY in its first and second generations, which means that best is yet to come.
Diesel technology, on the other hand, has been around for 100 years. Yet, the first hybrids can outperform the best diesel has to offer after 100 years of development? So thanks for making my point.
The potential of the hybrid powertrain offers VASTLY more upside than does the diesel engine. In 10 years there will be no comparison between the capabilities of a diesel powertrain and a hybrid powertrain. Additionally, hybrid costs, like laptop computers, WILL become cheaper.
That's why it is so important to INVEST in the future, which is what investing in hybrids does.
While diesel does offer some short term potential, it is not a long term solution.
Hybrid powertrains will advance and offer far more power, signifanctly more fuel efficiency, while emitting significantly less pollutants.
Diesel cannot match the emerging potential of hybrids, unless it joins the hybrid powertrain. Already, some are working on biodiesel hybrids that are believed to be capable of 500 mpg.
Hmmm. That's about 10 times the fuel efficiency of your TDI. That investment isn't worth the effort? We should be happy with a polluting 45 mpg for the next 20 years? Please.
Even with today's technology, for the average daily commute, plug-in Prii can function on mostly electric power. That means no gas, no oil, and no pollution.
Can your diesel REALLY compete with that?
Your TDI is a very good vehicle, but it isn't as good as a Prius for my commute in terms of either fuel efficiency or pollution.
Additionally, while your TDI is a good solution today, the Prius is a far better solution for tomorrow.
More people should learn about electric vehicles as a solution. "Zero emissions" is something that's going to be required by law one day (you know it will). Making the decision to go electric is far cheaper anyway, like 10 cents on the dollar vs. gas. (source: zapworld.com)
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