Hybrid or Diesel?

Question

I am very impressed by Toyota Prius! However, Europe is selling 50%+ of it's cars in new-tech diesel format. What is the future here in America? I equate "diesel" with Volkswagen, and yet I do NOT see enough hype, articles, build-up, marketing, etc. for VW to be capitalizing on what could be a huge trend! What gives?

Answer 1

Last January Ultra Low Sulfer Diesel became available. Certification of any fuel burning car is expensive Manufactures just don't want a diesel of the 70's again That V-8 car motor diesel was a disaster. Common rail direct injection engines either gasoline or diesel will get here soon enough. Hybrid synergy drive is probably the best dual propulsion system. But I think of that system as just a step away from Hydrogen fuel cell back up battery photovoltaic cars of the future Using only electric motors made into each wheel. A car which cracks water into hydrogen and o2 while it is recharging pluged in at night. A car that can travel over 100 miles on a initial charge then the fuel cell starts producing power. I started Mechanic in the early 70's and when cars no longer have wheels I plan to retire. Antigravity car that is when I will rest.

Answer 2

Diesels are a bit of an improvement over gasoline cars since the introduction of ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) because they get about 40% better mileage, but they also have about 15% more greenhouse gas emissions for a net 25% improvement on those emissions per volume of fuel.

Hybrids are a better improvement that this however. Diesels emit on the order of 130 g/km of CO2

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/02/eu_commission_t.html

While a Prius will emit 104 g/km of CO2

http://www.hybridsynergydrive.com/en/prius_emissions.html

Plus a Swiss study just named the Prius the world's greenest car!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070727/sc_nm/cars_pollution_dc

Answer 3

Most Americans won't even look at a vehicle that doesn't have at least 250hp. A diesel car can not do that and still be reliable. Look at the horsepower ratings for European diesel vehicles and you will find that they would be very boring to drive.

Answer 4

Get a diesel. There plenty better then they have been 10, or perhaps 5 years in the past. in case you do this, by surprise you may have plenty better, greater useful automobiles, and keep your gasoline financial gadget.