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If a compact diesel can achieve 40-50MPG and a gasoline/electric hybrid can do the same, would there be a market for a diesel/electric hybrid and how many MPG could it get? Or would the cost of production create a price too high to entice buyers as hybrids and diesels both cost a pretty penny as an option.
Diesels are usually a little bit more pricier, then you still have the same reason why we don't have more widespread diesels, government hates them. Strict Emissions regulations.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Diesel/electric hybrids anyone?
In the USA, you are restricted to a 'Locomotive' as a diesel hybrid, a tad overkill for most.
(unless you are Mr Sharky... http://www.mrsharkey.com/pusher.htm )
Sprinter vans by MB had some diesel hybrids back ~ 2003, but lots of action overseas in compact car hybrids. VW was getting 70 - 80 mpg in 2008, but done right 100 mpg should be attainable (crummy USA spec for Diesel fuel and expense of DOT & EPA certification keep the best diesels out of USA). You won't see them here til we get better fuel stds. We will all have to move to another country in 2014 anyway (If you plan on needing healthcare)
That said, diesel engines are much better suited as a Genset, than direct drive of vehicle (varied load).They like to run warm and at a fixed speed and are REALLY economical and efficient if you can keep them doing that. PERFECT for a Diesel hybrid electric
just a few Diesels make the roadway stink ;especaialy at redlights. WHAT?? you don't like the smell of a donut shop (I burn cooking oil) !! Efficient cars do not stay running while at redlights, when the Hydraulic re-gen braking / propulsion systems are perfected, trucks / buses won't need to run at red lights either... (and think of the air quality improvements from no more brake dust!!! Redlight idling run time is not doing much of anything except running your AC.
I don't use AC, and am moving to a county that has NO redlights.
Diesels are already far more efficient than petrols at low speeds/RPM/City driving.
The % increase in MPG for diesels wouldnt be anywhere near as great as it is for petrols.
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