Public Opinion question about Diesel in passenger cars.?

Question

I was wondering what you think about using Diesel in passenger cars, SUV and light truck applications.

In Europe today almost 70% of new registrations are vehicles equipped with Diesel engines.

Vehicles are loved for their power combined with a great fuel economy.

In the last years there was a road test where they compared a Hybrid (I believe a Honda) with a Turbodiesel powered VW. The VW kicked the Hybrids *** both in power and fuel economy.

If you were in the market for a vehicle today, would you:

1. Consider the vehicles fuel economy?

2. Consider buying a Hybrid?

3. Consider buying a Diesel?

If you consider a Hybrid vehicle, do you even think about what is going to happen to the battery cells at the end of the vehicles life (or their useable life)?

Knowing that Diesel may produce harmful gases (NOx), would you still prefer it because it will at the same time produce considerably less Carbon Dioxide than Gasoline engines with comparable power?

Answer 1

I love the diesels. I wish we could have more in the U S. It seems to me it is a no brainer. The European diesels are getting much better fuel economy than hybrids, are much cheaper, and have the ability to use Bio Diesel Fuel.

With cars getting 50-70 MPG, We could cut our CO2 emissions to about 1/3 using existing vehicles, and burn Bio diesel where it is available.

Maybe a Diesel Hybrid will be even better for those that can afford them. If a gas hybrid can achieve 45, maybe a diesel hybrid can achieve 70-80.

I am in the process of looking in Mexico to see if I can get the VW Polo. 60-70MPG NOW. That beats any Hybrid. Why would anyone that cares want to pay more for a hybrid so they can pollute more is beyond me.

Answer 2

It's easy to get caught using dyed (non-taxed) fuel on the road.

Diesels are totally changing now that EPA finalized the smog rules for them.  They will be very low emission, and higher performance too.  Fuel is cheaper too, it may be a couple percent more $, but you're buying 15% more energy.

I'd consider a diesel, yes.  Of course a diesel hybrid would be the best of both worlds!  (just so you know, that's possible, just build a hybrid with diesel engine instead of gas.)  Diesels would be a natural in a plug-in hybrid. They could also be made to run veggie oil directly.

Answer 3

Because Europe has a lot of natural gas which is being used by refineries in generating diesel fuel with a carbon content close to that of gasoline, and with performance capabilities comparable to gasoline, and at the same time excellent fuel economy, I would go for diesel wherever that kind of diesel fuel is available.

Diesels run on a combination of ordinary diesel plus liquefied natural gas or propane can also deliver similar results.

Diesel does not preclude use of hybrid technology. Hybrid technology marries with diesel in exactly the same way as does gasoline.

We can use natural gas (CNG or LNG) in a gasoline engine running on gasoline, both extending its mileage and increasing octane. This can of course greatly improve fuel economy in vehicles with turbo which would otherwise develop ping. This of course works best in countries with access to volume natural gas.

Answer 4

1) Yes, that's my top criteria.

2) Yes, hybrids are the best technology currently available.

3) Yes, I would consider a diesel, but I probably wouldn't buy one.

Power is not important to me in a car, and I'm concerned about the NOx and particulate emissions of diesel.  Plus a small diesel gets approximately the same mileage efficiency as a mid-sized Prius (~50 mpg).  On top of that, diesels emit 15% more CO2 per volume than gas engines, so a 50 mpg diesel actually emits as much CO2 as a 43 mpg gas car or hybrid.

GABY gives a good example in her answer below.  She claims the VW Polo gets 60-70 mpg, when in reality it gets 60 mpg highway and 33 mpg city.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_...

So it averages about 47 mpg - the same as a Prius.  However, when you factor in the additional 15% CO2 emissions per volume of diesel over gasoline, it emits the same amount of greenhouse gases as a 40 mpg car (assuming you drive half in city, half freeway), plus NOx, plus particulates.  Though it is cheaper than hybrids.

Plus the next generation Prius is going to come out probably within the next year and will get 80 mpg in the city.

Plus plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles are right around the corner.

Basically my opinion is that diesels are a step up from regular gas cars, but a good hybrid is a step up from a diesel.  A plug-in hybrid is a step up from a regular hybrid, and a fully electric vehicle is the best option.

Answer 5

in.America we have had bad problems with car diesel..GM had some real piles of c**p in 1970s 80s. and vw wasnt good..i thing the way polution and milage standerds are written its better for car co to use gas...i live in rural area and all/many farmers use diesel in pickup trucks..because they can use off road tractor fuel [no hyway tax]

Answer 6

I'm not going to claim to be an expert on this but have a few observations.

Hybrids will be better when they are true plug in

This may take a while to get going, but power companies are interested in buying used batteries from electric cars and hybrids to use for storing excess off peak electricity.  Apparently they have enough life left for that, after they have outlived their usefulness in cars.  One idea is that when you buy a hybrid or electric, you won't own the battery.  You lease it and then it goes to the power company.  Would cut down on the upfront price without the expensive batteries included.