Hm, how about this - if the feds decided to control the price of passenger cars but exempted diesels, that would be a form of a subsidy.
I would consider that subsidizing one industry over another. Giving tax breaks to one industry over another is subsidizing as well. Giving the wealthy a $7500 tax credit for buying an EV, is a very selective subsidy only the wealthy can take advantage of. Many people don't have a tax bill of $7500 to use for a credit. If it could be applied over several years it would be a little more equal.
I'm a bit contrarian on home solar subsidies - I think the current system props up higher prices for consumers and if we did away with the tax credits, the overall prices would drop. There'd be a lot of casualties from the solar installer companies but the ones who can figure out how to compete will act fast to get the payback back down to the 8 or 10 year timeframe that's claimed using the federal tax subsidy. I'd rather pay $13,000 now and be done with it than pay $21,000 and get the money difference back through a tax subsidy.
Interesting the authors left out the renewable energy subsidies going back over 100 years. How much has the Federal government spent on renewable Hydro power? That is still far and away the cheapest energy being offered the American people. I know the Feds were giving away tax dollars in the 1970s for people putting up wind generators. Though when the money stopped most of those wind farms went into disrepair. Many are a blight on the landscape. The corporations long gone with the money. Buffett says putting in alternatives without the big bucks from Sam would be stupid.
I agree with you that the 30% given to put in home solar is just added to the price. Reminds me of the siding and insulation sales of the 1970s. There were all kinds of programs offered to home owners to insulate, put in double pane windows, dropped ceilings, etc. Of course I am enjoying my Obama wood burning fireplace insert during the winter.
Does any subsidy compare on a consumer basis to the tax breaks given to the lucky (uh, I mean hardworking bootstrappy Horatio Alger clones) buyers of Teslas?
I hope that stuff is rescinded before the six figure egg shaped gullwing thing hits the market.
If anything, those have been some of the major complaints, on this board. Diesel costs more in acquisition and fuel (due to taxation).
Further investigation shows significantly higher costs per mile driven fuel: RUG/PUG. If one factors in 15,000 miles per year avg , multiplied by 11.5 to 12 years avg age of the PVF (180,000 miles) the math +$$'s REMAINS compelling (like model).
@ current prices for 14 MB GLK 350/250BT, 22 mpg/35 mpg, PUG $2.65/ULSD $2.49=682 gal/429 gal per yr= $ 1,807-$1,068=$ 739 per yr. saved * 12 yrs=$8,868. When you put in the -$500 MSRP for the 250 BT =$9,368.
Filled up the other day @ 486 miles 13.8 gal for 35 mpg. This tank was filled after real heavy commute traffic cycles.
@ this time, it appears I am 2 to 3 years away from telling this board what effects fixes will have on the 2009 Jetta TDI mpg & drivability. The mpg range has been between 39 to 41.Still loving it even though it has one of the least torque of the lot.
While I see no reasoning, one being 14 to 16 mpg to get rid of my two " perfect machine gun platforms " 1994/1996 TLC's, I do have to say,@ like miles, yours @ mine, they both have had way more issues than any to all diesels I have and continue to operate. We do continue to run 20,000 miles OCI's.
Do I wish in retrospect and before purchase, they were diesels? Yes & absolutely! Would they have a better or worse, on the diesel portion? While I would guess yes, I really don't know.
TMI
Tire life has been pretty good on the these, @ app 90,000 to 95,000 miles per set. Each is on the 3rd set. They came with Michelins LTX's (?, been a while, $308 more per set). @ P/P ratio's, The ( 2 sets each) Yokohama's Geolander G054's highway's have been troopers.
I am a fan of the 16 inch tires. I am less of a fan of the diesel's 18, 19, 20 and 21 in monstrosities. But then in theory,the bigger tires (rim clearances) allow bigger and faster stopping monster brake pads @ rotors. It's cool to have the Ferrari 430 braking system (in disguise) on the 12 Touareg TDI. Also love the Aisin (Toyota subsidiary) 8 speed AT.
I am basing my opinion on the hydro produced in the NW USA. My son pays less than 25% of what my pseudo alternative electricity costs.
If we are going to be like Norway, as many would like US to be, we would need to produce about 96% of our electricity from Hydro. And of course the Norwegians buy more Tesla S than any other model of car. Thanks to the very generous government removing the VAT tax on EVs. Norway says MORE hydro. The salmon are on their own. Most are raised in farms anyway.
Yeah, I think in the CA Pacific area " salmon " is code for (" piss away") management of fresh water.
Here is a more readers digest version of the idea of 11.5 to 12 years for the average age of the PVF passenger vehicle fleet. The yearly (12,000 to 15,000 miles) average vehicle and driver mileage are from the NHTSA website.
I paid under $3 a gallon for a fill-up on Saturday down in Eagle River. $2.49/gal to be exact, which is WAY cheaper than here in Fairbanks. Our price for RUG is the same as that posted in your photo... for PUG!
And our fuel taxes are $0.08/gal as compared to what, about $0.60 in CA?
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
After a few days of getting smoked out by a neighbor who thought it a great idea to install a wood stove last summer, I was curious about how high Fairbanks ranks, overall, in US particulate pollution.
Turns out, we're #7 for short-term particulate levels, and #44 overall for annual particulates. Considering that we're up against some places that have a person or two more than us in their populations, it just goes to show how this kind of stuff is all about location, location, location!
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
The State of the Lower Saxon seemingly is echoing the "Sergeant Schultz". Talk about that model being the only game in town! ?
Makes one wonder when the German Auto Unions will "jump aboard the band wagon"? The germane question seems to be: How much will the headcount have to shrink, going forward?
But, an interesting read on new diesel emissions technology, using both urea & H20.
Longer-term, I see this as shifts in percentage energy needed and (by way of policies) wanted. The real weakness here are the Feds, States, locals stubborn refusals to aggressively put better diesel emissions controls in on/off road vehicles, static generators/emitters, construction, manufacturing, farming, air travel, shipping, big rig transportation, etc.
Passenger diesels are "SCAPEGOATED" for what is actually NOT being done in the above described areas. (Aka the 11 or so problem emitters getting get out of jail free passes in AQMD statistics.)
So for example, if gasoline is SO much better than diesel, one has to question why no bigger % switches to gasoline big rigs?
Another is if one could wave the magic wands and get rid of every passenger diesel in America, one would have almost ZERO measurable effect in decreased emissions. In fact, because we would be burning more gasoline, emissions would actually increase.
So while there are voices saying/shouting this could be the perfect time to try to kill/end diesel, the real consequences are solidifying DIESELs in the PVF as one of the cornerstones. To address the ratios in the barrel of oil, kudos should really go to Volkswagen. They got their 25% diesel production correct, which logically should be the % diesel MIRROR in the US PVF. However, they are certainly not making any money at it, right now.
Higher % diesel passenger vehicle fleet actually DECREASES oil demand. Gagrice has made mention of gasoline as being considered WASTE back in the early days before the model T., dare I say Rockefeller & Standard Oil. So for another example, too much diesel in Europe creates a glut/overflow of gasoline which can then be sold in the United States. Huge % of gasoline creates a US diesel glut, which can be sold in Europe/world.
Another cornerstone being is/remains gasoline. (gasoline) Hybrid support/ policy is one HUGE clue. This is even with a far less than targeted 10 to 20% gasoline hybrid of the PVF. Why no PVF diesel hybrids ? There Is little to no economical demand.
EV is having a HUGE hard time gaining traction despite MASSIVE tax incentives @ almost ALL levels. What is being ignored % wise is actually natural gas . Ethanol has been a disaster, with farmers being one of the obvious beneficiaries. One should not overlook all that C02 being generated in brewing all that ethanol .
So the basic logic is not mine. It "FLOWS" from the www.EIA.gov graphic, where 1 barrel of oil @ 42 gallon yields approximately 19 gallons of gasoline and 10 gallons of diesel. An obvious disrupter would be the discovery of the process that yields 100% either way, or both. However, this is even suspect in that app 100% diesel can actually be built from natural gas & other chemicals, which in effect bypasses refining. Indeed you can actually build diesel in an RD park in say, ... Hayward, CA, for example.
I was searching for used Passat TDi at Carmax and on Cars.com. . They still price it pretty high almost pre scandal levels . I don't mind buying one if they knock off 30% of the pre scandal price . I guess they prefer to pickle it on the dealers lot .
You might be " looking for love in all the wrong places " . The law firms have access to the real @ huge data bases that solicit and represent the (disgruntled) VW TDI owners that want to get rid of their " problem children". Having to sell @ the fire sale prices, that you mention would certainly make prima facia cases that they lost money .
Because only one is affected by the VW Cheating Fiasco, I am swagging my 3/4 other diesels have shot UP in residual value.
But then, IF VW wants to brain fart and/or continue..., it was good to make 3x's more than what I paid for all 4 diesels. But then, that was FAR less than the $69 M Winterkorn, CEO is rumored pulling down playing "Sergeant Schultz" . ( i'd like to thank the Academy....)
This article indicates DiCaprio wants to make a movie on the Volkswagon DIESEL brain fart. Too bad he didn't make one on the Prius fiasco, circa 2004. Like I continue to say, I can't even make this stuff up.
At VW's current FAQ on their diesels, two of the questions and answers are:
I want to turn in my vehicle – can I and how? We are cooperating closely with the regulatory authorities to develop a remedy as quickly as possible. We ask for your patience as we work to get this done right."
VW might be smart to offer high BB in trade on one of their gas vehicles or the e-Golf. The only other option is to get into one of the class action lawsuits and wait 5-10 years for the results. My guess is VW will have a good solution in place by the end of the year. As long as the car still gets EPA MPG, a customer will not have much to legally complain about.
I think you'd have a bulletproof lawsuit if you establish your baseline MPG is one figure, and then after VW ruins your car with some EPA mandated update, you have another MPG figure. The EPA isn't the baseline, the actual MPG in real-world driving is.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
"Volkswagen AG plans a shift in focus to more plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles as the company adopts diesel technology it previously eschewed for smaller models."
Sounds good (to me ). Yet the Wall St. Journal makes it sound like VW is doubling down on diesel.
“It was decided to switch over to installing only diesel drives with SCR and AdBlue technology in Europe and North America as soon as possible,” the company said in a statement. “Diesel vehicles will only be equipped with exhaust emissions systems that use the best environmental technology,” it added.
The switch to AdBlue and SCR is a major change for Volkswagen and would appear to be an acknowledgment that its existing so-called lean nitrogen trap technology can’t meet strict U.S. restrictions on tailpipe emissions."
Makes me wonder what the rest of the world will get.
The switch to AdBlue and SCR is a major change for Volkswagen and would appear to be an acknowledgment that its existing so-called lean nitrogen trap technology can’t meet strict U.S. restrictions on tailpipe emissions."
Makes me wonder what the rest of the world will get.
According to Mr. Willis, UK Volkswagen Head , said in the Parliamentary committee that UK and USA will get different fix according to the requirements of their respective EPA agency. SCR or ad-blue system for USA and just a software fix for the UK
"Volkswagen AG plans a shift in focus to more plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles as the company adopts diesel technology it previously eschewed for smaller models."
Sounds good (to me ). Yet the Wall St. Journal makes it sound like VW is doubling down on diesel.
“It was decided to switch over to installing only diesel drives with SCR and AdBlue technology in Europe and North America as soon as possible,” the company said in a statement. “Diesel vehicles will only be equipped with exhaust emissions systems that use the best environmental technology,” it added.
The switch to AdBlue and SCR is a major change for Volkswagen and would appear to be an acknowledgment that its existing so-called lean nitrogen trap technology can’t meet strict U.S. restrictions on tailpipe emissions."
Makes me wonder what the rest of the world will get.
"Doubling down" would imply 46 % to 50%. I'm really not sure what you mean by doubling down. I think if anything, they would want to maintain 23% to 25% TDI over all mix & logically and organically grow that % from there. Purely from a marketing point of view, whatever extra the diesel power train costs , (would be to) offer that in a diesel TDI discount.
The halo car is okay I guess but I'd like to see them ramp up the e-Golf tech and chase the Prius crowd, not the Tesla crowd. The Phaeton isn't on my radar, but few sedans are....
And I can spell and pronounce "Golf", unlike Phaeton, Touareg, Tiquan....
The halo car is okay I guess but I'd like to see them ramp up the e-Golf tech and chase the Prius crowd, not the Tesla crowd. The Phaeton isn't on my radar, but few sedans are....
And I can spell and pronounce "Golf", unlike Phaeton, Touareg, Tiquan....
I am still slightly confused here. You will have to correct me if I'm wrong. But it seems like that's exactly what they're going to do: both low-end with the Jetta Hybrid and Golf EV, high-end with the Phaeton EV.
Again, I don't have ready access to the numbers like someone in Edmunds.com would, but the hybrid PVF percentage is roughly less than 2.3% to diesels 5%. As a result, breaking into either of those hybrid markets would seem to be very very tough @ best. I would think that a VW hybrid & EV would clearly be a better drivable car. However, that is my perception. I would not be a hybrid or EV buyer in either segment. @ the very least, the ranges are not sorted.
Sort of off topic, but the Tesla model X will probably get up to a $25,000 IRS section 179 deduction (business owner) in addition to $7,500 Fed deduction $2,500 California tax rebate.
Meanwhile while on topic, California has approximately 67,000 VW fiasco TDI's.
A Seattle law firm filed in LA, a Fed lawsuit, which if they win, can force VW to buy back any to all of the 67,000 affected TDI's under California emissions laws. So if California's PVF is approximately 33 M vehicles, that's really much ado about nothing. The % of "offending" , bad vehicles is only .002 %. This is being blown out of proportion beyond being blown out of proportion. FUBAR beyond FUBAR.
Sounds pretty glitch free if I can get back what I paid for it. Even I know that's probably not likely to be true. So the punishment does not fit the crime.
I know that if I import a non-conforming car, the Feds can seize it...
It does not meet that definition. They also already had their chances when they passed through the borders the first time..
So a bit downstream, if the Federal government has to ask Toyota to tell them how ISIS got so many Toyota Landcruisers and pick up trucks, shows they are absolutely & totally... clueless !
Of course, the one that makes me laugh (article read in passing and Utube post) is that ISIS Toyota pick up truck from Steve's Plumbing from somewhere in Texas ? Hmmmm, did that Toyota pick up truck come from Steves Plumbing, from somewhere in ...Texas?
I can't even make this stuff up!
So here is another from Mark's in Texas City, Tx . Ok !ok ! Ford 250 , you bunch of whiners. Anyone want to ask the question Jeopardy style ?
Well if you're being chased by a drone you want a reliable truck
Just back from Sicily...seems like EVERY vehicle is a diesel and EVERY vehicle is a manual transmission. Fiat rules there, of course although I saw more Skodas, Audis, Citroens and Peugeots than I thought I would. VW not so much (I guess the Skodas take care of that).
I wonder how many actual owners have sued? I see law firms advertising for people to come forth with their horrid VW TDI.
Well using my 2009 as an example, what will I sue for? I am happy with it!
He said a crime was committed? What crime was that? What real proof (burden of evidence) indicates mine is a criminal?
CARB has said @ least 4x's mine passes with flying colors. They won't even test my now suspect one!! The very same people that wants to make sure I have justice, want to make MY (the) car runs like crap, with zero proof.
CARB in pursuing its anti diesel agenda, wants to do a mini eminent domain, if I do not do their crappy fix.
So the lawyers will probably make more fees than the actual cost of the crappy fix. What incentive do I have ?
If anything, I should sue CARB and EPA, and hope the lawyers drive GM cars with faulty ignitions.!
I'd love to see someone sue the EPA and CARB for ineptitude in this recent debacle.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
Well there you go - didn't know a Jetta EV was even on the table.
(still curious what you reference with your "Prius fiasco, circa 2004" comment).
Just for the record, VW does have several EVs. Norway being a customer of EVs the number one selling EV this year is the Golf E. Tesla in the number two spot.
I'm not sure of your point and where/if there is confusion? I did not say in any way shape or form that Norway was anywhere close to the Conus in size! So for example, I know diesels are much a greater percentage! I just don't know exactly what it is! However, an old grammar school classmate loves her Toyota Land Cruiser TDI! So IF Norway has 2.5 M passenger cars (only cars) ! & IF it is typically European @ 51% plus, you're really talking about over 1.275 M diesel passenger cars.
"Not many years ago, the government recommended the Norwegian people to buy diesel over gasoline. But since then it has become clear that they emit about 70 times more of the harmful NO2 molecule than gasoline cars. So, the Institute of Transport Economics (Transportøkonomisk institutt, TØI) now proposes diesel cars to be prohibited in big cities of Norway." (The Nordic Page, 2012 date)
"In 2010, approximately 75% of all new passenger cars sold in Norway were diesel. In a study performed by The Institute of Transport Economics (TØI) and NILU, it turned out that diesel cars actually emit much more NOX under real driving conditions, such as urban situations and traffic jams during winter, than during an approved emissions test." (ScienceNordic, also from 2012)
Sounds like Norway figures they backed the wrong player.
Hard for me to find more numbers info other than what's been posted.
"In 2013, according to the International Council of Clean Transportation, Japan had 21 percent of hybrid and electric vehicles in its fleet -- more than any country in the world. The European leaders in the technology, Norway and the Netherlands, had 12.8 percent and 11.3 percent, respectively. Germany had just 1 percent." (Financial Review)
Ah, from ssb.no - "Out of the 2.5 million registered passenger cars at the beginning of this year, about 46 per cent were run on diesel; an increase of two percentage points compared to the previous year. "
The contemplated implied conclusion & actions are highly suspect, without correlated longitudinal (health) studies before and after: Gas, gas hybrid, diesel, EV, etc. Until that & then, it is a WAG! Now there is implied causality, but the real questions are how is each PVF car fuel source correlated?
Another question would be are they giving Federal get out of jail free passes to (11) categories as delineated in AQMD in LA, CA? It is more than a parent that we are not comparing apples to apples.
So for example, that very same article says that 1.262 M vehicles, that pollute WAY more than passenger cars are not counted. Or almost 50.5% that contribute to the pollution, but are exempt! @ least the AQMD counts all the major emitters. The article makes no reference to other stuff like air and shipping travel. Am I to assume there is ZERO air,shipping travel and no farming,off road operations and construction?
It does make one ask, do they still allowed unmitigated wood burning fireplaces, with no to little plans for natural/propane gas or a ban on burning?
It goes without saying that more of the pollution is contributed by household energy use!
When you compare the cited article with the AQMD site. One sure leaves out many sources and way greater volumes of pollution. It would not be a stretch to say that one might be considered intellectually dishonest.
So to put some scale to the discussion, Norway is approximately 125,000 mi.² New Mexico is approximately 122,000 mi.² California is approximately 163,000 mi.² California has 33 M vehicles, aka UNDER 6,000 to 7,000 #'s.
It is hard to defend a study that leaves out approximately 50% uncounted gross polluters of what causes gross pollution, then blame its effects on the remaining 46% of diesel cars, as if the counted app 52% of gasser cars and exempt gross polluters cause little to ZERO health issues.! Simply Alice in Wonderland reasoning!
But it is in keeping with the anti diesel world agenda.
With 12 to 13 model years into TDI's & TTDI's, not much in gas, gas hybrid, EV, natural gas calls out to for a change.
I do like the advances in the Corvette, Z06. Prices are almost silly.
I have always love the look & feel of a Jaguar XKE. The mechanical bits are just terrible! I was watching a Top Gear episode celebrating 50 years of the Jaguar XKE. They indicated a modern company makes an XKE "clone/upgrade" @ $500,000. ???
Additionally, I do wish I had bought a used 1964 Porsche 356C (coupe, dual air inlets, turtle back) in 1974, for $1,500 to $1,800. . Hagerty indicates the current price @ $75,000 restored. It was wildly powerful with 95 hp!
I suspect I was lucky in that I didn't fall into a money pit.
I am sure either or both would need custom engine work to run RUG/PUG. I'm tempted to say those were the good old days. The facts: THESE are the good old days.
What would the pundits forecast with the crystal ball ? Will the USA get to continue to have clean TDIs with great mileage or a neutered down version which would not be worth paying for extra premium over a similar gasser ? And will Europe continue to allow the existing TDIs having just a sleight of hand software tweak and passed emissions tests with a wink wink and a nod nod ?
Air quality is the least of your worries in Palermo. You need nerves of steel to drive there and even more courage to cross the street.
Air quality seemed ok to me (and I am somewhat asthmatic), The cars are mostly small, mostly diesel, and the drivers take lots of risks. On the plus side, they are extremely skillful. In weeks of driving, I saw no accidents and no road rage, and watched cars, buses and trucks miss each other by inches day after day. The food is fabulous.
As for the Godfather...interesting that you ask, because the most ironic thing was that a number of Sicilians, when asked where I was from, commented that they'd like to come to America but are afraid of being shot. Go figure.
Fuel costs were about $6.00 a gallon but I was pulling almost 2X my Mini's MPG so about even up on cost per mile.
Saw quite a few diesel Minis but couldn't manage to rent one, unfortunately.
What would the pundits forecast with the crystal ball ? Will the USA get to continue to have clean TDIs with great mileage or a neutered down version which would not be worth paying for extra premium over a similar gasser ? And will Europe continue to allow the existing TDIs having just a sleight of hand software tweak and passed emissions tests with a wink wink and a nod nod ?
Longer-term there's no doubt in my mind that the VW diesel fiasco will be sorted. Right now I don't quite think that the blood is running in the streets. I do think that the Porsche, Mercedes Benz & VW Touareg TDI's are all real sleepers. But then I have thought that for quite a while. So really not too much ihas changed. I do think however that OEMs with diesels will be more motivated to sell them. For example, MB d's sells @ -500 MSRP under it's like model gasser. The continued age of the premium for diesels is iffy at best. But then in 13 model years, I have never subscribed to the so-called diesel "premium".
Seven years on and nothing has changed in my study.
Seven years and still not converted?
Reading the various links about Norway. I can see why they would want to push EVs. They have an overabundant supply of Hydro power. 96% and more if needed. Why use your abundant oil when you can sell it and make yourself the richest country in the World? Or close to it. I find them a bit hypocritical as 25% of their state owned holdings are in Canadian tar sands.
Speaking of hypocrites, how about the Sierra Club? Makes the VW TDI fiasco a non event.
NORDEN, Calif. - On a frosty evening in the Sierra Nevada, smoke curling from the chimney of the Clair Tappaan Lodge is a welcome sight to chilly snowshoers and cross-country skiers. Gathering by the massive stone hearth at this landmark Sierra Club mountain hostel, guests relax in the warmth and aroma of the crackling log fire.
Data on fine particulates from all sources show a considerable health toll. In California, the state Air Resources Board estimates that they contribute to about 9,200 premature deaths from cardiopulmonary disease every year. Wood smoke is a major component of fine particulates in many areas, especially in winter.
If you applied strict environmental standards to every facet of everyone's life, we'd all be dead by now. It's a straw man argument at best that any of us are hypocritical when we leave the lights on some nights.
The only way people change is when they have to. China will continue to decrease burning of coal and continue to make massive investments in green tech because they will have to do this to survive. They needed to start choking to death to change. Maybe we will too, I dunno.
The software that the company admitted using to get around government emissions limits allowed VWs to spew enough pollution to cause somewhere between 16 and 94 deaths over seven years
Let's see a maximum of 13 deaths per year attributed to nasty VW TDI cars. Compared to 9200 per year so we can have a cozy fire in the fireplace.
Comments
I agree with you that the 30% given to put in home solar is just added to the price. Reminds me of the siding and insulation sales of the 1970s. There were all kinds of programs offered to home owners to insulate, put in double pane windows, dropped ceilings, etc. Of course I am enjoying my Obama wood burning fireplace insert during the winter.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/with-market-on-their-side-electric-utilities-skip-fight-against-carbon-rule-1444606397
I hope that stuff is rescinded before the six figure egg shaped gullwing thing hits the market.
Saw a few diesel stinkers today, all trucks.
The Downside of Dams: Is the Environmental Price of Hydroelectric Power Too High?
@ this time, it appears I am 2 to 3 years away from telling this board what effects fixes will have on the 2009 Jetta TDI mpg & drivability. The mpg range has been between 39 to 41.Still loving it even though it has one of the least torque of the lot.
http://www.businessinsider.com/why-isis-uses-toyota-trucks-2015-10
While I see no reasoning, one being 14 to 16 mpg to get rid of my two " perfect machine gun platforms "
Do I wish in retrospect and before purchase, they were diesels? Yes & absolutely! Would they have a better or worse, on the diesel portion? While I would guess yes, I really don't know.
TMI
Tire life has been pretty good on the these, @ app 90,000 to 95,000 miles per set. Each is on the 3rd set. They came with Michelins LTX's (?, been a while, $308 more per set). @ P/P ratio's, The ( 2 sets each) Yokohama's Geolander G054's highway's have been troopers.
I am a fan of the 16 inch tires. I am less of a fan of the diesel's 18, 19, 20 and 21 in monstrosities. But then in theory,the bigger tires (rim clearances) allow bigger and faster stopping monster brake pads @ rotors. It's cool to have the Ferrari 430 braking system (in disguise) on the 12 Touareg TDI. Also love the Aisin (Toyota subsidiary) 8 speed AT.
If we are going to be like Norway, as many would like US to be, we would need to produce about 96% of our electricity from Hydro. And of course the Norwegians buy more Tesla S than any other model of car. Thanks to the very generous government removing the VAT tax on EVs. Norway says MORE hydro. The salmon are on their own. Most are raised in farms anyway.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-02-01/norway-may-boost-hydro-output-12-by-2020-survey-shows
Here is a more readers digest version of the idea of 11.5 to 12 years for the average age of the PVF passenger vehicle fleet. The yearly (12,000 to 15,000 miles) average vehicle and driver mileage are from the NHTSA website.
http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/transportation/blogs/15-cars-we-keep-forever
I paid under $3 a gallon for a fill-up on Saturday down in Eagle River. $2.49/gal to be exact, which is WAY cheaper than here in Fairbanks. Our price for RUG is the same as that posted in your photo... for PUG!
And our fuel taxes are $0.08/gal as compared to what, about $0.60 in CA?
Turns out, we're #7 for short-term particulate levels, and #44 overall for annual particulates. Considering that we're up against some places that have a person or two more than us in their populations, it just goes to show how this kind of stuff is all about location, location, location!
Makes one wonder when the German Auto Unions will "jump aboard the band wagon"? The germane question seems to be: How much will the headcount have to shrink, going forward?
But, an interesting read on new diesel emissions technology, using both urea & H20.
http://news.yahoo.com/german-governor-vw-admitted-deception-earlier-083839937--finance.html
Longer-term, I see this as shifts in percentage energy needed and (by way of policies) wanted. The real weakness here are the Feds, States, locals stubborn refusals to aggressively put better diesel emissions controls in on/off road vehicles, static generators/emitters, construction, manufacturing, farming, air travel, shipping, big rig transportation, etc.
Passenger diesels are "SCAPEGOATED" for what is actually NOT being done in the above described areas. (Aka the 11 or so problem emitters getting get out of jail free passes in AQMD statistics.)
So for example, if gasoline is SO much better than diesel, one has to question why no bigger % switches to gasoline big rigs?
Another is if one could wave the magic wands and get rid of every passenger diesel in America, one would have almost ZERO measurable effect in decreased emissions. In fact, because we would be burning more gasoline, emissions would actually increase.
So while there are voices saying/shouting this could be the perfect time to try to kill/end diesel, the real consequences are solidifying DIESELs in the PVF as one of the cornerstones. To address the ratios in the barrel of oil, kudos should really go to Volkswagen. They got their 25% diesel production correct, which logically should be the % diesel MIRROR in the US PVF. However, they are certainly not making any money at it, right now.
Higher % diesel passenger vehicle fleet actually DECREASES oil demand. Gagrice has made mention of gasoline as being considered WASTE back in the early days before the model T., dare I say Rockefeller & Standard Oil. So for another example, too much diesel in Europe creates a glut/overflow of gasoline which can then be sold in the United States. Huge % of gasoline creates a US diesel glut, which can be sold in Europe/world.
Another cornerstone being is/remains gasoline. (gasoline) Hybrid support/ policy is one HUGE clue. This is even with a far less than targeted 10 to 20% gasoline hybrid of the PVF. Why no PVF diesel hybrids ? There Is little to no economical demand.
EV is having a HUGE hard time gaining traction despite MASSIVE tax incentives @ almost ALL levels. What is being ignored % wise is actually natural gas . Ethanol has been a disaster, with farmers being one of the obvious beneficiaries. One should not overlook all that C02 being generated in brewing all that ethanol .
So the basic logic is not mine. It "FLOWS" from the www.EIA.gov graphic, where 1 barrel of oil @ 42 gallon yields approximately 19 gallons of gasoline and 10 gallons of diesel. An obvious disrupter would be the discovery of the process that yields 100% either way, or both. However, this is even suspect in that app 100% diesel can actually be built from natural gas & other chemicals, which in effect bypasses refining. Indeed you can actually build diesel in an RD park in say, ... Hayward, CA, for example.
Because only one is affected by the VW Cheating Fiasco, I am swagging my 3/4 other diesels have shot UP in residual value.
But then, IF VW wants to brain fart and/or continue..., it was good to make 3x's more than what I paid for all 4 diesels. But then, that was FAR less than the $69 M Winterkorn, CEO is rumored pulling down playing "Sergeant Schultz" . ( i'd like to thank the Academy....)
This article indicates DiCaprio wants to make a movie on the Volkswagon DIESEL brain fart. Too bad he didn't make one on the Prius fiasco, circa 2004. Like I continue to say, I can't even make this stuff up.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3270003/Leonardo-DiCaprio-bring-Volkswagen-clean-diesel-scandal-big-screen-producing-deal-Paramount.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
Hmmm, ... Winterkorn might have some free time?
VW retools diesel strategy, plans electric push (autonews.com)
Sounds good (to me
“It was decided to switch over to installing only diesel drives with SCR and AdBlue technology in Europe and North America as soon as possible,” the company said in a statement. “Diesel vehicles will only be equipped with exhaust emissions systems that use the best environmental technology,” it added.
The switch to AdBlue and SCR is a major change for Volkswagen and would appear to be an acknowledgment that its existing so-called lean nitrogen trap technology can’t meet strict U.S. restrictions on tailpipe emissions."
Makes me wonder what the rest of the world will get.
Makes me wonder what the rest of the world will get.
According to Mr. Willis, UK Volkswagen Head , said in the Parliamentary committee that UK and USA will get different fix according to the requirements of their respective EPA agency. SCR or ad-blue system for USA and just a software fix for the UK
Horses for courses
And I can spell and pronounce "Golf", unlike Phaeton, Touareg, Tiquan....
Again, I don't have ready access to the numbers like someone in Edmunds.com would, but the hybrid PVF percentage is roughly less than 2.3% to diesels 5%. As a result, breaking into either of those hybrid markets would seem to be very very tough @ best. I would think that a VW hybrid & EV would clearly be a better drivable car. However, that is my perception. I would not be a hybrid or EV buyer in either segment. @ the very least, the ranges are not sorted.
(still curious what you reference with your "Prius fiasco, circa 2004" comment).
Sort of off topic, but the Tesla model X will probably get up to a $25,000 IRS section 179 deduction (business owner) in addition to $7,500 Fed deduction $2,500 California tax rebate.
Meanwhile while on topic, California has approximately 67,000 VW fiasco TDI's.
A Seattle law firm filed in LA, a Fed lawsuit, which if they win, can force VW to buy back any to all of the 67,000 affected TDI's under California emissions laws. So if California's PVF is approximately 33 M vehicles, that's really much ado about nothing. The % of "offending" , bad vehicles is only .002 %. This is being blown out of proportion beyond being blown out of proportion. FUBAR beyond FUBAR.
Sounds pretty glitch free if I can get back what I paid for it. Even I know that's probably not likely to be true. So the punishment does not fit the crime.
So a bit downstream, if the Federal government has to ask Toyota to tell them how ISIS got so many Toyota Landcruisers and pick up trucks, shows they are absolutely & totally... clueless !
Of course, the one that makes me laugh (article read in passing and Utube post) is that ISIS Toyota pick up truck from Steve's Plumbing from somewhere in Texas ?
I can't even make this stuff up!
So here is another from Mark's in Texas City, Tx . Ok !ok ! Ford 250 , you bunch of whiners.
http://houston.cbslocal.com/2014/12/18/texas-plumber-has-no-idea-how-company-truck-ended-up-with-isis/
WOW! Seems designer Toyotas (just fabulous) are multiplying ?
https://www.quora.com/Why-are-ISIS-militants-driving-Texas-made-Toyota-trucks-apparently-modified-for-U-S-Special-Forces
Wher's Lucy?
Just back from Sicily...seems like EVERY vehicle is a diesel and EVERY vehicle is a manual transmission. Fiat rules there, of course although I saw more Skodas, Audis, Citroens and Peugeots than I thought I would. VW not so much (I guess the Skodas take care of that).
http://evobsession.com/electric-cars-now-23-of-new-car-sales-in-norway/
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1091290_one-percent-of-norways-cars-are-already-plug-in-electrics
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Size of Norway compared to USA. Look at the driving distances with most people living at the tip of the lower Norway !!
"In 2010, approximately 75% of all new passenger cars sold in Norway were diesel. In a study performed by The Institute of Transport Economics (TØI) and NILU, it turned out that diesel cars actually emit much more NOX under real driving conditions, such as urban situations and traffic jams during winter, than during an approved emissions test." (ScienceNordic, also from 2012)
Sounds like Norway figures they backed the wrong player.
Hard for me to find more numbers info other than what's been posted.
"In 2013, according to the International Council of Clean Transportation, Japan had 21 percent of hybrid and electric vehicles in its fleet -- more than any country in the world. The European leaders in the technology, Norway and the Netherlands, had 12.8 percent and 11.3 percent, respectively. Germany had just 1 percent." (Financial Review)
Ah, from ssb.no - "Out of the 2.5 million registered passenger cars at the beginning of this year, about 46 per cent were run on diesel; an increase of two percentage points compared to the previous year. "
Another question would be are they giving Federal get out of jail free passes to (11) categories as delineated in AQMD in LA, CA? It is more than a parent that we are not comparing apples to apples.
So for example, that very same article says that 1.262 M vehicles, that pollute WAY more than passenger cars are not counted. Or almost 50.5% that contribute to the pollution, but are exempt! @ least the AQMD counts all the major emitters. The article makes no reference to other stuff like air and shipping travel. Am I to assume there is ZERO air,shipping travel and no farming,off road operations and construction?
It does make one ask, do they still allowed unmitigated wood burning fireplaces, with no to little plans for natural/propane gas or a ban on burning?
It goes without saying that more of the pollution is contributed by household energy use!
When you compare the cited article with the AQMD site. One sure leaves out many sources and way greater volumes of pollution. It would not be a stretch to say that one might be considered intellectually dishonest.
So to put some scale to the discussion, Norway is approximately 125,000 mi.² New Mexico is approximately 122,000 mi.² California is approximately 163,000 mi.² California has 33 M vehicles, aka UNDER 6,000 to 7,000 #'s.
But it is in keeping with the anti diesel world agenda.
I do like the advances in the Corvette, Z06. Prices are almost silly.
I have always love the look & feel of a Jaguar XKE. The mechanical bits are just terrible! I was watching a Top Gear episode celebrating 50 years of the Jaguar XKE. They indicated a modern company makes an XKE "clone/upgrade" @ $500,000. ???
Additionally, I do wish I had bought a used 1964 Porsche 356C (coupe, dual air inlets, turtle back) in 1974, for $1,500 to $1,800.
I suspect I was lucky in that I didn't fall into a money pit.
I am sure either or both would need custom engine work to run RUG/PUG. I'm tempted to say those were the good old days. The facts: THESE are the good old days.
Air quality seemed ok to me (and I am somewhat asthmatic), The cars are mostly small, mostly diesel, and the drivers take lots of risks. On the plus side, they are extremely skillful. In weeks of driving, I saw no accidents and no road rage, and watched cars, buses and trucks miss each other by inches day after day. The food is fabulous.
As for the Godfather...interesting that you ask, because the most ironic thing was that a number of Sicilians, when asked where I was from, commented that they'd like to come to America but are afraid of being shot. Go figure.
Fuel costs were about $6.00 a gallon but I was pulling almost 2X my Mini's MPG so about even up on cost per mile.
Saw quite a few diesel Minis but couldn't manage to rent one, unfortunately.
Reading the various links about Norway. I can see why they would want to push EVs. They have an overabundant supply of Hydro power. 96% and more if needed. Why use your abundant oil when you can sell it and make yourself the richest country in the World? Or close to it. I find them a bit hypocritical as 25% of their state owned holdings are in Canadian tar sands.
Speaking of hypocrites, how about the Sierra Club? Makes the VW TDI fiasco a non event.
NORDEN, Calif. - On a frosty evening in the Sierra Nevada, smoke curling from the chimney of the Clair Tappaan Lodge is a welcome sight to chilly snowshoers and cross-country skiers. Gathering by the massive stone hearth at this landmark Sierra Club mountain hostel, guests relax in the warmth and aroma of the crackling log fire.
Data on fine particulates from all sources show a considerable health toll. In California, the state Air Resources Board estimates that they contribute to about 9,200 premature deaths from cardiopulmonary disease every year. Wood smoke is a major component of fine particulates in many areas, especially in winter.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/hazards-of-wood-smoke
The only way people change is when they have to. China will continue to decrease burning of coal and continue to make massive investments in green tech because they will have to do this to survive. They needed to start choking to death to change. Maybe we will too, I dunno.
Let's see a maximum of 13 deaths per year attributed to nasty VW TDI cars. Compared to 9200 per year so we can have a cozy fire in the fireplace.
http://www.businessinsider.com/ap-ap-analysis-vw-evasion-likely-led-to-dozens-of-deaths-2015-10