Diesels give great gas mileage, make it a hybrid and it would be better than a gas hybrid?

Question

Are there any diesel hybrids available in the market

Answer 1

Deisel engines run on compression, so you don't actually need the flammability of gasoline.  Most (Yes MOST) deisel engines will run on biodeisel,  or even a mixture of used vegetable oil and kerosene.  In effect,  a deisel already is a hybrid.

Answer 2

someone is messing with an electric class 8(semi), I just don't remember if it was Volvo or who, it was a foreign company though

Answer 3

Takes too much electrical current to start the engine due to high compression. Besides, diesel is noisey and it smells bad. Who on earth would want one. But of course, what sane person would drive a hybrid, since they don't pencil. Why do I say this? Because if you do the math (google it), it takes 5-10 years to save enough gas to pay the extra cost. This does not take into account that battery replacement is EXPENSIVE, and I am talking thousands. On top of all of this, hybrids are just lame. I want something with a big growling engine with horsepower. I am willing to pay a bit more to NOT drive a lame vehicle. My personal vehicle is a 2006 mustang gt modified for extra horsepower. 14 MPG and and power that nails me to the seatback. Works for me.

Answer 4

Just saw the Speed show on the North American Auto show from Detriot. Many of the new cars are coming in 2008 as diesel hybrids.  So yes there will be some on the market for all the major auto makers in 2008 available soon.

Answer 5

These are being developed by several European (Citroen, BMW, MB and a couple I have forgotten) and a couple of Japanese companies.

I believe that diesels hybrids are also being developed in the US.

Diesels can last longer but need proper servicing, especially oil changes, and the lifespan of a diesel engine can be greatly shortened if it is only used for short trips.

Diesel can be as polluting as petrol.  Biodiesel, made to European standards is much better for emissions, even in a 5% blend with petro-diesel, but is not readliy available outside Europe.  US standards for bio-diesel are a little less stringent than EN 14214 standard in Europe.  This is to guarantee quality product and many manufacturers will not honour a warranty for a car with more than a B% blend of biodiesel yet because of the risks of poor quality home-made fuel.

Oh, and economy gains for a diesel hybrid over a petrol one: expect about a 1/3 to 2/3 improvement in realistic driving conditions with similar vehicles.

Answer 6

There are diesel hybrids out there, you just don't realize it.  Many city buses are being replaced with diesel hybrids.  It's only a matter of time before this trickles down to the consumer.