Much of the OPEC oil was developed by Western countries, predominantly the US and the UK. Much was stolen after it was developed as in Venezuela. Exxon is trying to collect $billions they invested. Where is our Government when we need them? I thought that the Constitution guaranteed to look out for US interests in foreign countries.
Personally I am looking forward to the importation of super ultra low sulfur diesel being produced from natural gas. Exxon has its largest project to date in Qatar to do just that. GTL is going to be a real good source of great diesel fuel. Qatar is sitting on the largest known gas field in the world.
Indeed ! There is really no reason for the US to fight for "expensive" European oil ($6/7/8 US at the pumps). It is more than obvious the so called "carry costs (middle east conflicts, aka non declared wars) " has made US fuels cost more, while Europe's remain relatively the same. So if we pull out of the middle east conflicts and the European prices doubles; it would be up to Europe to do what it will!?
Most of the so called pejorative " foreign" oil for the US does NOT come from the middle east. What does flow from European market reliant refineries are the Rug to Pug supply OVERFLOWS, because of the 50% and growing D2 demand. So again if you look at the EIA.gov percentage of a barrel of oil, the over production (by STRUCTURE) of RUG to PUG comes.... here to the US.
We helped to bail Europe out during WW2. Just on that example alone, it does NOT take genius to fiqure out the bailing out business has been a 70 year old proposition and GROWING!!!! Of course GWB went to Yale and might have needed 7/8 folks worth of fingers (and toes) to count... But really, cut to the chase: all GWB had to do was ask his DAD (WW2 vet) how long the bail out European business has taken AND probably more importantly has COST the American taxpayer!!?? Less we forget, it was the Europeans that in effect cause the reasons and execution of the death toll and destruction of Europe (Japan and Italy also) - truly not the USA!? So do we reasonably expect getting out of the middle east in exponentially less time? The corrollary would be: what a wonderful time to get in. However, we should cut back way back on the policing business.
The US should be using more ULSD for the very same reasons Europeans use it: (albeit @ lower prices) one being, because it gets 20-40% better fuel economy, hence uses less, etc, etc,.
Indeed ! When US companies @ the invite of foreign countries do business and the foreign countries steal the billions invested, the US government should do the few things they are constitutionally mandated to do.
There is really no reason for the US to fight for "expensive" European oil ($6/7/8 US at the pumps).
? Europeans pay more for all fuels due to taxation. 75% of the cost of filling up in Europe is tax which is levied that high to encourage the use of public transportation.
If we pulled out of middle east conflicts it would make no difference to the cost of oil, unless you can point to some evidence that our ongoing conflict in Iraq is actually doing something to reduce the cost of oil. The evidence of the last 5 years directly contradicts that and suggests that our ongoing conflict there has been a major driver in pushing prices up.
Another key reason for record highs in oil cost are record lows in the dollar. Since the dollar is losing so significantly to other currencies, it takes more $$ to buy the same amount of crude.
Why should the US taxpayer intervene on behalf of companies that took a risk in their business model?
The US govt made all the usual noises and threatened sanctions etc. There is nothing in the Constitution that says the govt is responsible for what US companies do over-seas. That is regulated by the laws of the countries those companies are operating in.
Under full throttle, vast amounts of air are gulped through the intakes, creating a dramatic roar in the cabin. From 1,750rpm, the Audi really begins to surge forward – and although our test drive saw the output of the engine limited in order to preserve the A4-sourced gearbox, it’s still clear that what this unit lacks in aural appeal, it more than makes up for with raw power.
The big V12 promises to be green, too. It features Audi’s Adblue technology, which treats the exhaust gases with urea to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. As a result, the unit will meet the standard expected of Euro VI pollution laws scheduled to be introduced in 2010. As in the standard car, the steering is accurate and the ceramic brakes are powerful.
However, there’s one last feature of the V12 that’s likely to appeal to keen drivers – the firm’s Dynamic Drive system. This set-up balances suspension, throttle and engine settings according to the driver’s wishes. And in the V12 R8, it’s controlled via a Ferrari-style knob mounted on the steering wheel spoke.
The system switches between dynamic, sport and race modes, which progressively harden the Magnetic Ride suspension and sharpen throttle response to up the pace.
So, the only question left is when the R8 TDI will go on sale. For the time being, Audi is tight lipped, but it acknowledges that it has a very real chance of making limited production, possibly as early as 2010.
One thing is for sure – given the huge performance, its status as the world’s first true diesel supercar, and its spectacular design, there will be no shortage of eager drivers desperate to get behind the wheel.
Every world power is always at some stage of intent on conquest or some stage of decay. Indeed some Muslim doctrine has this current middle east conflict as a continuance of the Hatfields and McCoy's feud started during the Crusades.
The Austin Powers, "international man of mystery" arch enemy- ME (Europe) and MINI me (USA) might be an interesting graphic. :shades: :lemon:
I don't think it will make the 35 MPG mandate set by CAFE :shades:
I would be real surprised if one is ever sold in the USA. Maybe Bill Gates will try to sneak one in like he did with the fancy Porsche a few years ago. I would guess it will be at least a $250k car.
While I would agree, as the thing was probably built to demonstrate greater potential than gassers, I am still intriqued by the more street able twin turbo diesel sports car Larsb posted way back, sporting 45 mpg on RACE day and 70 mpg @ 65 mph cruising!!
This kind of specious thinking is pretty much what has been driving the US's failed foreign policies for some time now. Additionally, we have no coherent alternative fuel plan, or coordinated transportation planning. The pejorative use of religious labels serves mindless pursuits of self aggrandizement and no more.
Please allow me to thank you from the bottom of my heart for actually posting something relevant to the topic "Diesels in the News". It seems that about 99 out of 100 messages in this forum are bashing (pick one or more) diesels, hybrids, Arabs, Muslims, the oil industry, various governments, or the last person who posted.
I don't want to ruin anyone's fun, but the on-topic pickings in this forum are becoming so scarce that it's almost a waste of time to read it. Please, could we stick at least vaguely to the topic here?
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
.."Kertz said he can produce about 100,000 gallons of algae oil a year per acre, compared to about 30 gallons per acre from corn; 50 gallons from soybeans."...
As an aside, 100,000 gals would take me off the "foreign oil grid" @ 50 mpg for 5,000,000 miles!! OK, lets break it down better: @ 12-15k average miles per year, would keep 333 to 416 drivers per year, per acre, off "the foreign oil grid"
AND the C02 nexus !!!!??
..."Locating algae processing plants intelligently can add to their efficiency. Locating algae facilities next to carbon producing power plants, or manufacturing plants, for instance, the plants could sequester the C02 they create and use those emissions to help grow the algae, which need the C02 for photosynthesis."...
For all the changes it would cause..... are you ready to go back to sleep?
Not sexy enough?
..."I'm too sexy for my pond
And who knew that single celled plants could be such "hotties" when it comes to sex? Kertz said it's a real "algae orgy" under the microscope.
Some algae reproduce sexually, some asexually, while many combine both modes. In some green algae the type of reproduction may be altered if there are changes in environmental conditions, such as lack of moisture or nutrients."...
That is a great news story. It does not take a government mandate. It just takes ONE person with a good idea. Government botches things up more than they improve them..
But according to Al Darzins of the DOE's National Renewable Energy Lab, in 1996 the feds decided that algae oil could never compete economically with fossil fuels. The price of a barrel of oil in 1996? About 20 bucks!
I am a firm believer in the American entrepreneurial spirit. Give us a challenge and we will find a way. Seeing the profit is the best incentive to innovation.
"Much of the OPEC oil was developed by Western countries, predominantly the US and the UK. Much was stolen after it was developed as in Venezuela."
A point of clarification, do you think that it was US companies that stole the oil? I am not sure I would use the word stole, it is more like they manipulated the situation with the help of the US government.
"But, as Hittle pointed out, chastising a country for investing in education or healthcare for its poor instead of providing U.S. motorists with the cheapest gas possible is a fairly biased way of looking at the world of oil."...."Each country has the right to make its own investment decisions," she said." money.cnn.com/2008/01/25/news/international/opec/index.htm
"Exxon is trying to collect $billions they invested. Where is our Government when we need them? I thought that the Constitution guaranteed to look out for US interests in foreign countries."
I do not think there is a section that says we should help oil companies get maximum profit, or prop up dictators. Colonialism as practiced by the Europeans and the US is vanishing. Other nations are standing up for their own rights.
The issue of who gets the benefit is an interesting one. Nationalism and increased taxes are certainly adding to the price of diesel and other fuels. I think it is Alaska that is raising taxes from 22.5% to 25% on oil projects. Alberta, Canada will be upping their tax rate, Colorado possibly and maybe others. We can expect oil projects to get delayed and prices to rise.
New York diesel is still holding steady at $4.33 (AAA). That whooshing sound you hear is the air being let out of the economy.
It is interesting to "come full circle" so to speak to make note that one answer to the problem can be " home grown". So we can combine in addition a lot of the elements: Do we need salt water? Locate near the ocean. Need fresh water? Put in a desalination plant.
Sure beats the end of days in our times. Or was that the end of our times, in these days?
But something tells me most folks prefer the end of days tales. :lemon:
Not a lot of money when you look at how much is being spent in Iraq. Fifty mill won't even buy you a decent fighter jet. How much help is it??? Take away 40% for EPA to administer the program and another 40% for developing clean diesel engines for the dozen or so largest super yachts, that leaves us with a cool $10 mill for school or transit buses, medium and heavy-duty trucks, locomotives and non-road engines.
A point of clarification, do you think that it was US companies that stole the oil?
The oil is not in contention. It is the infrastructure owned and operated by Exxon that was Nationalized. That is hardly colonialism. Most oil producing countries make deals with either a US or UK oil producer to set up their production facilities. Our government receives taxes from Exxon on profits derived from those facilities. They should protect that interest. We have every right to attack Venezuela for that theft of US corporate property. It is being handled in the courts as we have billions of Venezuelan dollars tied up in our banking system.
The sooner we start making biodiesel from algae and getting some of these known US oil fields into production, the less we have to worry about third world dictators stealing what is ours.
"The sooner we start making biodiesel from algae..." I would agree!
Indeed the sulfur ppm in bio diesel is literally close to or @ ZERO! Not only that, it does not need to be refined out. The regulations need to be written in such a way as to encourage (or just plain make diesel engines to burn bio diesel) the wider spread use of bio diesel and bio diesel no matter the source: be it recycled waste, old gen, next gen, future gen, from existing processes' new processes, new R& D processes , synthetic, etc, and not just D2 from petroleum.
... The University of Delaware has a project, using a plant that can thrive in partial salt water marshland along ocean coastline to produce bio-Diesel. One reason is that it is believed that this will be almost completely out of the food loop. Does not sound as potentially productive as the algae.
The real interesting thing about algae is it can be both in and out of the food loop. It can be both so called high to low productive. Adaptable to a host of situations, applications, The species can be selected. I am sure it also has the capacity to be genetically engineered, as distasteful to some segments of the population as that might be. However I would not predict at this time that algae will be an overnight success for folks not already consuming algae, to add it to their diets. Also to gain bio diesel from the local sewage treatment plant are both actual and symbolic metrics of the problems starting to being solved rather than just emitting hot air (and the products the sewage plant treats) on the subject.
Do a Google search to find out about the virtual impossibility of algae to contribute fuel in significant amounts to the system. Also, view the down side of its theoretical use, including unpredictable variations in "output". Additionally; algae is a prime contributor of oxygen to the atmosphere and is already under assault from ocean pollution, including unmitagated diesel use by ships - significantly by the military. There is no way out but walking .
Actually the same claims were and are being made specifically about oil. :lemon: On the other hand the world wide demand grows anywhere from 3-4% year over year. Indeed almost all world wide emissions standards are far to exponentially weaker than ours, as if the emissions only stays in the specific area it is emitted.
One difference over biodiesel. Indeed we were supposed to run out of oil @ least 25 to 50 years ago.
So you might ask why is EVERY policy geared to the continued long term use of oil? Indeed even the way you frame the statement:
..." the virtual impossibility of algae to contribute fuel in significant amounts to the system." ...
is a not so subtle way to indicate compliance with the status quo.
I totally agree with you. The "Dead Zone" in the Gulf of Mexico is a prime example of government programs gone awry. The fertilizers used to grow more corn are being washed into the streams and rivers that end up feeding the algae in the Gulf. That strangles the fish and shellfish. The Shrimp are all be gone from that once rich fishery.
That is why biodiesel projects like the one from Valcent are exciting. Nothing is going to be perfect. Personal cars are not going away in our lifetime for sure. So we might as well find some alternative fuels to keep them rolling. Living in a city for many of US is out of the question. Mass transit is a BIG waste of tax payer money in all but a few places. So the best thing to do is develop automobiles that use less fuel, and clean biodiesel from Algae shows the most promise.
Algae seems a strange contender for the mantle of World´s Next Great Fuel, but the green goop has several qualities in its favor. Algae, made up of simple aquatic organisms that capture light energy through photosynthesis, produces vegetable oil. Vegetable oil, in turn, can be transformed into biodiesel, which can be used to power just about any diesel engine. (There are currently 13 million of them on American roads, a number that´s expected to jump over the next decade.)
Algae has some important advantages over other oil-producing crops, like canola and soybeans. It can be grown in almost any enclosed space, it multiplies like gangbusters, and it requires very few inputs to flourish-mainly just sunlight, water and carbon dioxide. Because algae has a high surface-area-to-volume ratio, it can absorb nutrients very quickly,Sears says. Its small size is what makes it mighty.
The proof is in the numbers. About 140 billion gallons of biodiesel would be needed every year to replace all petroleum-based transportation fuel in the U.S. It would take nearly three billion acres of fertile land to produce that amount with soybeans, and more than one billion acres to produce it with canola. Unfortunately, there are only 434 million acres of cropland in the entire country, and we probably want to reserve some of that to grow food. But because of its ability to propagate almost virally in a small space, algae could do the job in just 95 million acres of land. What´s more, it doesn´t need fertile soil to thrive. It grows in ponds, bags or tanks that can be just as easily set up in the desert-or next to a carbon-dioxide-spewing power plant-as in the country´s breadbasket.
Turns out, Jimmy's foresight had another plus side that, to this day, shows no sign of a negative feedback loop. Through a $25 million dollar biodiesel research program, his Administration set in motion the creation of an intellectual property bank that is a foundation of today's booming algae-based biodiesel industry. The private sector payback - although many years delayed - is likely to be significant.
The $25 million Aquatic Species Program was set up in 1978 by the Carter Administration to investigate high-oil types of algae that could be grown for biodiesel. The project, run by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, found algae farms producing the plants in shallow ponds could supply enough biodiesel to completely replace fossil oil for transportation and home heating.
It was shot down during the Clinton administration and revived by the Bush administration.
But by 1995, oil prices had settled down again and President Clinton's government was looking for budget cuts. The NREL decided to concentrate on ethanol and closed the ASP. However, its collection of more than 3,000 strains of algae is still open to researchers at the University of Hawaii and is widely regarded as the intellectual property backbone for today’s algae-to-fuel startups.
Indeed this might be a very tactical systematic solution to problems created by government programs. Obviously the best solution would be to stop fertiizers from hitting the Gulf of Mexico. Till then, it is probably obvious alge loves the run off. This would make an almost no brainer algae for bio diesel cultivation area. Not only would bio diesel be produced, residual fertilizers would be used for algae food,. CO@ consumed in the production of oxygen, but it would be an environmental remediation project of sorts (lessens the impact of an ongoing situation). Who knows this might even balance off the environmental dieback that is occuring there. Might be a good place to give tax CREDITS also.
The 2005 energy bill allows for about 50 cents a gallon incentive for biodiesel production. Hopefully we get the vehicles to take advantage of the new found source of renewable energy. Of course as we can see this has taken 30 years to get some traction. It is also dependent on high priced fossil fuel.
Additionally, what I had in mind: what for example China does for foreign companies locating factories in China's enterprise zones. Loans, (like infrastructure, no taxation for X years (fed, state, local,property, sales, etc), Tax Credits, etc, etc. permit streamlining, So for example, managed correctly, it could jump start the effort.
The following is also good to set some of this stuff in context. Registered passenger vehicle fleet (2006.pdf NHTSA data) was 251.4 M vehicles. 2% diesel passenger vehicle fleet mikes out to app 5.028 M diesels.
Don't forget that is somewhere between $40-$70 Billion is fuel tax that would be lost. I don't see the state or Federal government letting that happen. They are on a balancing act. Trying to look they want to save on fuel while blocking legitimate attempts to do so.
For sure that is at least one reason, why the diesel passenger fleet will remain in a minority population. I think the reason is they have to leak a few into the market as to appear as if they are not disengenuous.
The operative realities are the governments (at all levels) are the ones that are the REAL addicts!!! They are of course addicted to the MASSIVE (taxation) revenue flows. Governments @ all levels of course have their (smybolic and/or real) foibles when they (for example) use Air Force's ONE to 1,000 and beyond to let their "duly elected" bosses take a four some to some exotic world destination for a round of golf and 19th hole activities.
They of course like to point to the oil companies as the villains. The oil companies of course do not help themselves; when their Boards of Directors authorize some of their folks to make 300-400 M per year. It kind of makes you wonder what gravitas an oil company exec would have if he did a Jerry Brown or a Steve Jobs and took $1.00 per year to hold the top CEO posts?
The other side of this might be Joe/Josphine 6 pak who really NEEDS a car to get to work. (aka starving is a privilege not a right) They are flogged mercilessly 24/7 about cutting back on their use and yet cars that get 40-60 mpg are either in short supply or not available or applicable. Naturally as the anticipated cut back becomes on line; fuel prices are JACKED up. Some talking head on any channel will cite Supply and Demand or some such reason du jour. They just hope most folks will not act on the totally opposite reason they gave the ...day before.
So actual revenues are probably increasing. :lemon: :shades:
The Vision GLK BLUETEC HYBRID achieved this goal by combining the new BLUETEC four-cylinder diesel engine generation with a hybrid module. This combination generates an overall output of 165 kW/224 hp, and a torque of 560 Nm. Superior performance can be taken as read in view of these figures. And yet the Vision GLK BLUETEC HYBRID returns a fuel consumption of only 5.9 l per 100 km (40 MPG US!)
Sweet indeed! I am guessing the cost is...NOT low!? :lemon: :shades: Hopefully these new products will SHOW those folks advocating ( need size 13 but you all should fit into a size 4 for the GIPPER (environment) their choice is artifical. Not all of us Cinderfellas'/Cinderella's can fit into the size 4 "glass slipper" so to speak that the environmental N---'s say can.
224 hp might not sound like a lot (double a Honda Civic), but 560 nm for those who want to make translation an issue= 413 # ft of torque!! 413# ft of torque is ...Corvette territory!
On the other hand, I'd like that power plant adapted into a sub 2500# machine, sans the hybrid portion!! WOO HOO !! Even better mpg!
I totally don't get that vehicle (vision glk). Make it a wagon instead of an SUV and suddenly it handles better, is lighter, accelerates better, and gets better mpg. You would think we don't have paved roads in this country judging by the vehicles people buy.
Oh and one more thing. This is last on my list when considering a vehicle, but a wagon wouldn't be quite so ugly.
Sometimes the interstates don't feel like real (paved) roads!?
(I 80 Truckee/ Tahoe/Reno for anyone who cares or wants to know? zzzzzzzzzzzz)
Did a 450 mile R/T (for discussion purposes, slightly more or less real odometer ) spring skiing day yesterday. It was absolutely gorgeous!! Snow was good too! I was looking for bikini'd skiers, but they were not in the lines that day.
The only possible nexus I can see; DIESEL car use and got 49 mpg. I was at a totally leisurely clip, so 84 mph was the max speed (from ZERO to app 6,000 ft and back) Being as how it is an interstate and provides winter mountain access, the roads were RUGGED in the #1 or passing lane. The truck lanes (#2) had grooves (almost like wagon wheel tracks on ye ancient Appian Way, (Roman Empire days), literally BRUTAL!! Despite the conditions, this 90 hp gutless wonder kept up with and normally passed 98% of the V8's on the trip UP the mountains!!! On the way back down those same V8's were LL camping, so it was hard to get around rolling road blocks.
Coulda woulda shoulda used an SUV, but current SUV's as Gagrice has noted in past posts, don't do much over 18 mpg. :sick: :lemon: Why let someone get 40 mpg when 15 mpg will do? :lemon:
I saw that also. It was interesting how they swatted the ping pong ball back and forth on the subject of YEARLY increase/decrease. Didn't even mention whether 1991 was a high/low demand summer. THEN it switched to a "which of three cups is the pea under" monty. ? They've not a clue why sooo... many folks trust what governments.......say.
Upshot, the summer's demand is actually UP, albeit .6 %. "summer over summer" (aka 100.6% rather than 101.5% per measured time frame) . So what is summer anyway; 2 weeks to 3 month's? Heck if it is considered three months they should have said QUARTER!! I guess they were hoping the decimal point would make it seem like new math and fool most folks. Most logical folks can see 2 weeks to three months is a rubber ruler by any stretch of the imagination- pun intended.
Interesting further if they are trying to say the demand is less, (we just demo'ed how it AIN'T) that the prices are at record levels. So what ever happened to the less demand, MORE supply, lower price metric? Let's see, Good/Bad news, ANY news, more energy in Canada and the US than all the middle east many times over!! the price of oil goes UP !!!!! Anybody see a trend here.
You would think we don't have paved roads in this country judging by the vehicles people buy.
Not sure about where you live. The driveways into many places are so steep many cars drag on the front dam or under carriage. That is a big complaint with our LS400 and was the biggest downside to the Passat Wagon. I will take the clearance of the SUV or PU any day of the week. Also MUCH easier to get into and out of. Most new SUVs are ugly as you say. Then most cars today are real ugly. The 1998 Suburban was the last of the GREAT looking SUVs. Also easy to see out of on all sides and to the rear. Too many blind spots on the modern wannabe SUV/CUVs.
If Mercedes get their auto transmission shifting decent I will probably get a diesel MB SUV. I would say the GLK hybrid will come in about $75,000. Not interested.
"The driveways into many places are so steep many cars drag on the front dam or under carriage."
As an Architect I can assure you that this is a design issue with the house. Need to get a better designer.
It is funny how people buy cars for certain reasons that don't have much merit. I will illustrate by admitting that when my wife bought her first car she had to make sure her rabbits travel cage fit in the trunk. Now what is the logic of making such a large purchase dependant on such a small one (she could have bout a new cage for $30).
Unfortunately this happens all the time. "I can't buy a diesel because I once new a guy that couldn't start his car 10 years ago during the coldest day on record". As far as AWD goes - if the roads are so bad that you can't get around in FWD and snow tires, then you absolutely should not be out because you can't stop any better than anybody else. Yet most of my coworkers (engineers ) have AWD and only use it once or twice a year if that much. 15 years in South Dakota and my FWD with snows has never let me down - the roads are always closed before I have trouble. And out here when they close the interstate they put down steel gates accross the highway, so AWD won't help.
I have not driven in SD much or of late, so I will have to assume you do not have nor have encountered some the clearance problems of some of the other 50 states.
..."As an Architect I can assure you that this is a design issue with the house. Need to get a better designer. "...
Out here that translation: file a claim with the respective irresponsible but responsible entity (further translated to: fed, state, county, local , bridge entity, rail road crossing liaison, conveyance company, contractor, sub contractor, etc, etc,) that can plausibly deny fault. The first one will tell you to route it to other agencies. After about 3, it usually winds up close to the correct one. Wait 90 days for disapproval. .... But resubmit in 90 more days for FINAL disapproval.
I am repeating from specifications here, as I have NEVER had any suv clearance issues short of a dead body. The suv's I have state 10.5 in of clearance. If I so much as catch a big rig tire chunk in the right (wrong) place on my diesel car, I have 1..5 seconds to shut the engine down before catastrophic engine failure. I have to say I have been lucky in 105,000 miles but have had some REAL close calls, which would have raised ZERO concerns if I were in the SUV's.
I think this is one major stumbling block for regulators, etc. If they allow the diesel engine options (mainstream) for the SUV such as Suburban, Landcruiser, etc getting between 30-40 mpg; this really shows that all those 30 years of environmental whining about SUV's were indeed bogus, artifical and they really knew the answers ALL along: Turbo diesel V4 to V8's !! The real nexus here would be SUV's given the tubo diesel options getting between 30-40 mpg would already meet the so called "TOUGH" higher 2012 35 mpg fuel standards. This of course would put a further drain on the ability to pump up the revenues. So operatively everybody grants approval of gasser SUV's (at the price of verbal disapproval) just as long as the price per mile driven makes one pay for the lower fuel mileage. Heaven forbid suv's actually GETTING better fuel mileage.
As an Architect I can assure you that this is a design issue with the house. Need to get a better designer.
It may be. I can tell you the suburbs In and around San Diego more drives are too steep than are built for modern clearance. I don't consider getting into and out of the vehicle a small issue. Maybe rabbit cages I would agree. SUV safety is also important to me.My new Sequoia has lower insurance rates than any car or wagon. My $50k 2007 Sequoia Limited is $400 per year less than my 2005 VW Passat Wagon TDI was. That is the difference in fuel for the year. 4X4 makes it easier to sell when you get around to it. I do wish it was diesel getting 30 MPG out on the highway. I cannot do anything about that. It is our fine government wasting the fuel. NOT me....It is now 10 years since I first started screaming about smaller diesel vehicles being needed. Remember when oil was $10 per barrel? I did not want to use anymore than was necessary.
Environmental Protection Agency is announcing the availability of almost $50 million in grant funding to establish clean diesel projects aimed at reducing emissions from the nation's existing fleet of diesel engines.
The unprecedented sum, which was authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and funded for the first time this fiscal year, will be administered by EPA's National Clean Diesel Campaign (NCDC) and its network of seven collaboratives, made up of EPA regional offices and public and private sector partners.
"Under President Bush's leadership, America's air is cleaner today than it was a generation ago," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "By encouraging innovations in existing diesel engines, EPA is driving the nation toward a clean, healthy, productive tomorrow."
Diesels are the economic workhorses of the nation, and over the past decade, EPA has set stringent new particulate and nitrogen oxide standards for most types of new engines. These regulations will annually prevent more than 20,000 premature deaths and yield more than $150 billion in public health benefits when fully implemented. The funding announced today, however, is aimed at reducing emissions from the existing fleet of 11 million diesel engines that pre-date these standards. Addressing the existing fleet is important because diesels remain in use for decades.
State, local, regional and tribal governments can apply for the grants, as well as non-profits and institutions with transportation, educational services and air quality responsibilities.
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (April 7, 2008) - Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today the selection of 30 drivers to compete in the all-new Jetta TDI Cup series. The drivers were chosen at a driver selection event April 3-6 at the Firebird Raceway in Phoenix, Ariz.
"We're offering a unique opportunity for some of the best and brightest drivers to get their start in a factory-backed racing series," said Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "Through an exhausting driver evaluation process, we looked at a variety of factors including driving ability and potential, media and communication skills and overall fit, to choose the 30 best drivers to help promote Volkswagen and the introduction of our all-new 50-state clean diesel Jetta TDI, and ultimately themselves."
Comments
Personally I am looking forward to the importation of super ultra low sulfur diesel being produced from natural gas. Exxon has its largest project to date in Qatar to do just that. GTL is going to be a real good source of great diesel fuel. Qatar is sitting on the largest known gas field in the world.
Most of the so called pejorative " foreign" oil for the US does NOT come from the middle east. What does flow from European market reliant refineries are the Rug to Pug supply OVERFLOWS, because of the 50% and growing D2 demand. So again if you look at the EIA.gov percentage of a barrel of oil, the over production (by STRUCTURE) of RUG to PUG comes.... here to the US.
We helped to bail Europe out during WW2. Just on that example alone, it does NOT take genius to fiqure out the bailing out business has been a 70 year old proposition and GROWING!!!! Of course GWB went to Yale and might have needed 7/8 folks worth of fingers (and toes) to count... But really, cut to the chase: all GWB had to do was ask his DAD (WW2 vet) how long the bail out European business has taken AND probably more importantly has COST the American taxpayer!!?? Less we forget, it was the Europeans that in effect cause the reasons and execution of the death toll and destruction of Europe (Japan and Italy also) - truly not the USA!? So do we reasonably expect getting out of the middle east in exponentially less time? The corrollary would be: what a wonderful time to get in. However, we should cut back way back on the policing business.
The US should be using more ULSD for the very same reasons Europeans use it: (albeit @ lower prices) one being, because it gets 20-40% better fuel economy, hence uses less, etc, etc,.
?
Europeans pay more for all fuels due to taxation. 75% of the cost of filling up in Europe is tax which is levied that high to encourage the use of public transportation.
If we pulled out of middle east conflicts it would make no difference to the cost of oil, unless you can point to some evidence that our ongoing conflict in Iraq is actually doing something to reduce the cost of oil. The evidence of the last 5 years directly contradicts that and suggests that our ongoing conflict there has been a major driver in pushing prices up.
Another key reason for record highs in oil cost are record lows in the dollar. Since the dollar is losing so significantly to other currencies, it takes more $$ to buy the same amount of crude.
The US govt made all the usual noises and threatened sanctions etc. There is nothing in the Constitution that says the govt is responsible for what US companies do over-seas. That is regulated by the laws of the countries those companies are operating in.
Perhaps it was the wholesales slaughter of millions and the threat posed by a hegemonic world power intent on conquest?
link title
Under full throttle, vast amounts of air are gulped through the intakes, creating a dramatic roar in the cabin. From 1,750rpm, the Audi really begins to surge forward – and although our test drive saw the output of the engine limited in order to preserve the A4-sourced gearbox, it’s still clear that what this unit lacks in aural appeal, it more than makes up for with raw power.
The big V12 promises to be green, too. It features Audi’s Adblue technology, which treats the exhaust gases with urea to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. As a result, the unit will meet the standard expected of Euro VI pollution laws scheduled to be introduced in 2010. As in the standard car, the steering is accurate and the ceramic brakes are powerful.
However, there’s one last feature of the V12 that’s likely to appeal to keen drivers – the firm’s Dynamic Drive system. This set-up balances suspension, throttle and engine settings according to the driver’s wishes. And in the V12 R8, it’s controlled via a Ferrari-style knob mounted on the steering wheel spoke.
The system switches between dynamic, sport and race modes, which progressively harden the Magnetic Ride suspension and sharpen throttle response to up the pace.
So, the only question left is when the R8 TDI will go on sale. For the time being, Audi is tight lipped, but it acknowledges that it has a very real chance of making limited production, possibly as early as 2010.
One thing is for sure – given the huge performance, its status as the world’s first true diesel supercar, and its spectacular design, there will be no shortage of eager drivers desperate to get behind the wheel.
Every world power is always at some stage of intent on conquest or some stage of decay. Indeed some Muslim doctrine has this current middle east conflict as a continuance of the Hatfields and McCoy's feud started during the Crusades.
The Austin Powers, "international man of mystery" arch enemy- ME (Europe) and MINI me (USA) might be an interesting graphic. :shades: :lemon:
I would be real surprised if one is ever sold in the USA. Maybe Bill Gates will try to sneak one in like he did with the fancy Porsche a few years ago. I would guess it will be at least a $250k car.
Please allow me to thank you from the bottom of my heart for actually posting something relevant to the topic "Diesels in the News". It seems that about 99 out of 100 messages in this forum are bashing (pick one or more) diesels, hybrids, Arabs, Muslims, the oil industry, various governments, or the last person who posted.
I don't want to ruin anyone's fun, but the on-topic pickings in this forum are becoming so scarce that it's almost a waste of time to read it. Please, could we stick at least vaguely to the topic here?
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
.."Kertz said he can produce about 100,000 gallons of algae oil a year per acre, compared to about 30 gallons per acre from corn; 50 gallons from soybeans."...
link title
As an aside, 100,000 gals would take me off the "foreign oil grid" @ 50 mpg for 5,000,000 miles!! OK, lets break it down better: @ 12-15k average miles per year, would keep 333 to 416 drivers per year, per acre, off "the foreign oil grid"
AND the C02 nexus !!!!??
..."Locating algae processing plants intelligently can add to their efficiency. Locating algae facilities next to carbon producing power plants, or manufacturing plants, for instance, the plants could sequester the C02 they create and use those emissions to help grow the algae, which need the C02 for photosynthesis."...
For all the changes it would cause..... are you ready to go back to sleep?
Not sexy enough?
..."I'm too sexy for my pond
And who knew that single celled plants could be such "hotties" when it comes to sex? Kertz said it's a real "algae orgy" under the microscope.
Some algae reproduce sexually, some asexually, while many combine both modes. In some green algae the type of reproduction may be altered if there are changes in environmental conditions, such as lack of moisture or nutrients."...
:shades:
But according to Al Darzins of the DOE's National Renewable Energy Lab, in 1996 the feds decided that algae oil could never compete economically with fossil fuels. The price of a barrel of oil in 1996? About 20 bucks!
I am a firm believer in the American entrepreneurial spirit. Give us a challenge and we will find a way. Seeing the profit is the best incentive to innovation.
A point of clarification, do you think that it was US companies that stole the oil? I am not sure I would use the word stole, it is more like they manipulated the situation with the help of the US government.
"But, as Hittle pointed out, chastising a country for investing in education or healthcare for its poor instead of providing U.S. motorists with the cheapest gas possible is a fairly biased way of looking at the world of oil."...."Each country has the right to make its own investment decisions," she said."
money.cnn.com/2008/01/25/news/international/opec/index.htm
"Exxon is trying to collect $billions they invested. Where is our Government when we need them? I thought that the Constitution guaranteed to look out for US interests in foreign countries."
I do not think there is a section that says we should help oil companies get maximum profit, or prop up dictators. Colonialism as practiced by the Europeans and the US is vanishing. Other nations are standing up for their own rights.
The issue of who gets the benefit is an interesting one. Nationalism and increased taxes are certainly adding to the price of diesel and other fuels. I think it is Alaska that is raising taxes from 22.5% to 25% on oil projects. Alberta, Canada will be upping their tax rate, Colorado possibly and maybe others. We can expect oil projects to get delayed and prices to rise.
New York diesel is still holding steady at $4.33 (AAA). That whooshing sound you hear is the air being let out of the economy.
It is interesting to "come full circle" so to speak to make note that one answer to the problem can be " home grown". So we can combine in addition a lot of the elements: Do we need salt water? Locate near the ocean. Need fresh water? Put in a desalination plant.
Sure beats the end of days in our times. Or was that the end of our times, in these days?
But something tells me most folks prefer the end of days tales. :lemon:
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2008/04/epa-makes-50-mi.html#more
Not a lot of money when you look at how much is being spent in Iraq. Fifty mill won't even buy you a decent fighter jet. How much help is it??? Take away 40% for EPA to administer the program and another 40% for developing clean diesel engines for the dozen or so largest super yachts, that leaves us with a cool $10 mill for school or transit buses, medium and heavy-duty trucks, locomotives and non-road engines.
The oil is not in contention. It is the infrastructure owned and operated by Exxon that was Nationalized. That is hardly colonialism. Most oil producing countries make deals with either a US or UK oil producer to set up their production facilities. Our government receives taxes from Exxon on profits derived from those facilities. They should protect that interest. We have every right to attack Venezuela for that theft of US corporate property. It is being handled in the courts as we have billions of Venezuelan dollars tied up in our banking system.
The sooner we start making biodiesel from algae and getting some of these known US oil fields into production, the less we have to worry about third world dictators stealing what is ours.
Indeed the sulfur ppm in bio diesel is literally close to or @ ZERO! Not only that, it does not need to be refined out. The regulations need to be written in such a way as to encourage (or just plain make diesel engines to burn bio diesel) the wider spread use of bio diesel and bio diesel no matter the source: be it recycled waste, old gen, next gen, future gen, from existing processes' new processes, new R& D processes , synthetic, etc, and not just D2 from petroleum.
The real interesting thing about algae is it can be both in and out of the food loop. It can be both so called high to low productive. Adaptable to a host of situations, applications, The species can be selected. I am sure it also has the capacity to be genetically engineered, as distasteful to some segments of the population as that might be. However I would not predict at this time that algae will be an overnight success for folks not already consuming algae, to add it to their diets. Also to gain bio diesel from the local sewage treatment plant are both actual and symbolic metrics of the problems starting to being solved rather than just emitting hot air (and the products the sewage plant treats) on the subject.
One difference over biodiesel. Indeed we were supposed to run out of oil @ least 25 to 50 years ago.
So you might ask why is EVERY policy geared to the continued long term use of oil? Indeed even the way you frame the statement:
..." the virtual impossibility of algae to contribute fuel in significant amounts to the system." ...
is a not so subtle way to indicate compliance with the status quo.
I totally agree with you. The "Dead Zone" in the Gulf of Mexico is a prime example of government programs gone awry. The fertilizers used to grow more corn are being washed into the streams and rivers that end up feeding the algae in the Gulf. That strangles the fish and shellfish. The Shrimp are all be gone from that once rich fishery.
That is why biodiesel projects like the one from Valcent are exciting. Nothing is going to be perfect. Personal cars are not going away in our lifetime for sure. So we might as well find some alternative fuels to keep them rolling. Living in a city for many of US is out of the question. Mass transit is a BIG waste of tax payer money in all but a few places. So the best thing to do is develop automobiles that use less fuel, and clean biodiesel from Algae shows the most promise.
Algae has some important advantages over other oil-producing crops, like canola and soybeans. It can be grown in almost any enclosed space, it multiplies like gangbusters, and it requires very few inputs to flourish-mainly just sunlight, water and carbon dioxide. Because algae has a high surface-area-to-volume ratio, it can absorb nutrients very quickly,Sears says. Its small size is what makes it mighty.
The proof is in the numbers. About 140 billion gallons of biodiesel would be needed every year to replace all petroleum-based transportation fuel in the U.S. It would take nearly three billion acres of fertile land to produce that amount with soybeans, and more than one billion acres to produce it with canola. Unfortunately, there are only 434 million acres of cropland in the entire country, and we probably want to reserve some of that to grow food. But because of its ability to propagate almost virally in a small space, algae could do the job in just 95 million acres of land. What´s more, it doesn´t need fertile soil to thrive. It grows in ponds, bags or tanks that can be just as easily set up in the desert-or next to a carbon-dioxide-spewing power plant-as in the country´s breadbasket.
http://www.popsci.com/node/10164
Some good reading:
http://www.needfulprovision.org/projects/biodiesel.php
Turns out, Jimmy's foresight had another plus side that, to this day, shows no sign of a negative feedback loop. Through a $25 million dollar biodiesel research program, his Administration set in motion the creation of an intellectual property bank that is a foundation of today's booming algae-based biodiesel industry. The private sector payback - although many years delayed - is likely to be significant.
The $25 million Aquatic Species Program was set up in 1978 by the Carter Administration to investigate high-oil types of algae that could be grown for biodiesel. The project, run by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, found algae farms producing the plants in shallow ponds could supply enough biodiesel to completely replace fossil oil for transportation and home heating.
It was shot down during the Clinton administration and revived by the Bush administration.
But by 1995, oil prices had settled down again and President Clinton's government was looking for budget cuts. The NREL decided to concentrate on ethanol and closed the ASP. However, its collection of more than 3,000 strains of algae is still open to researchers at the University of Hawaii and is widely regarded as the intellectual property backbone for today’s algae-to-fuel startups.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/03/jimmy-carter-algae-biodiesel.php
The following is also good to set some of this stuff in context. Registered passenger vehicle fleet (2006.pdf NHTSA data) was 251.4 M vehicles. 2% diesel passenger vehicle fleet mikes out to app 5.028 M diesels.
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This is what blows my mind. (assuming the same RATIOS- 29 mpg/50 mpg VW gassers/ diesels TDI), we are using 100.8 billion MORE gals
(or 240.8 Billion gals rather than 140 billion gals of bio diesel).
They of course like to point to the oil companies as the villains. The oil companies of course do not help themselves; when their Boards of Directors authorize some of their folks to make 300-400 M per year. It kind of makes you wonder what gravitas an oil company exec would have if he did a Jerry Brown or a Steve Jobs and took $1.00 per year to hold the top CEO posts?
The other side of this might be Joe/Josphine 6 pak who really NEEDS a car to get to work. (aka starving is a privilege not a right) They are flogged mercilessly 24/7 about cutting back on their use and yet cars that get 40-60 mpg are either in short supply or not available or applicable. Naturally as the anticipated cut back becomes on line; fuel prices are JACKED up. Some talking head on any channel will cite Supply and Demand or some such reason du jour. They just hope most folks will not act on the totally opposite reason they gave the ...day before.
So actual revenues are probably increasing. :lemon: :shades:
Vision GLK BLUETEC HYBRID
The Vision GLK BLUETEC HYBRID achieved this goal by combining the new BLUETEC four-cylinder diesel engine generation with a hybrid module. This combination generates an overall output of 165 kW/224 hp, and a torque of 560 Nm. Superior performance can be taken as read in view of these figures. And yet the Vision GLK BLUETEC HYBRID returns a fuel consumption of only 5.9 l per 100 km (40 MPG US!)
224 hp might not sound like a lot (double a Honda Civic), but 560 nm for those who want to make translation an issue= 413 # ft of torque!! 413# ft of torque is ...Corvette territory!
On the other hand, I'd like that power plant adapted into a sub 2500# machine, sans the hybrid portion!! WOO HOO !! Even better mpg!
Oh and one more thing. This is last on my list when considering a vehicle, but a wagon wouldn't be quite so ugly.
Love the technology though.
(I 80 Truckee/ Tahoe/Reno for anyone who cares or wants to know? zzzzzzzzzzzz)
Did a 450 mile R/T (for discussion purposes, slightly more or less real odometer
The only possible nexus I can see; DIESEL car use and got 49 mpg. I was at a totally leisurely clip, so 84 mph was the max speed (from ZERO to app 6,000 ft and back) Being as how it is an interstate and provides winter mountain access, the roads were RUGGED in the #1 or passing lane. The truck lanes (#2) had grooves (almost like wagon wheel tracks on ye ancient Appian Way, (Roman Empire days), literally BRUTAL!! Despite the conditions, this 90 hp gutless wonder kept up with and normally passed 98% of the V8's on the trip UP the mountains!!! On the way back down those same V8's were LL camping, so it was hard to get around rolling road blocks.
Coulda woulda shoulda used an SUV, but current SUV's as Gagrice has noted in past posts, don't do much over 18 mpg. :sick: :lemon: Why let someone get 40 mpg when 15 mpg will do? :lemon:
Upshot, the summer's demand is actually UP, albeit .6 %. "summer over summer" (aka 100.6% rather than 101.5% per measured time frame) . So what is summer anyway; 2 weeks to 3 month's? Heck if it is considered three months they should have said QUARTER!! I guess they were hoping the decimal point would make it seem like new math and fool most folks. Most logical folks can see 2 weeks to three months is a rubber ruler by any stretch of the imagination- pun intended.
Interesting further if they are trying to say the demand is less, (we just demo'ed how it AIN'T) that the prices are at record levels. So what ever happened to the less demand, MORE supply, lower price metric?
Not sure about where you live. The driveways into many places are so steep many cars drag on the front dam or under carriage. That is a big complaint with our LS400 and was the biggest downside to the Passat Wagon. I will take the clearance of the SUV or PU any day of the week. Also MUCH easier to get into and out of. Most new SUVs are ugly as you say. Then most cars today are real ugly. The 1998 Suburban was the last of the GREAT looking SUVs. Also easy to see out of on all sides and to the rear. Too many blind spots on the modern wannabe SUV/CUVs.
If Mercedes get their auto transmission shifting decent I will probably get a diesel MB SUV. I would say the GLK hybrid will come in about $75,000. Not interested.
As an Architect I can assure you that this is a design issue with the house. Need to get a better designer.
It is funny how people buy cars for certain reasons that don't have much merit. I will illustrate by admitting that when my wife bought her first car she had to make sure her rabbits travel cage fit in the trunk. Now what is the logic of making such a large purchase dependant on such a small one (she could have bout a new cage for $30).
Unfortunately this happens all the time. "I can't buy a diesel because I once new a guy that couldn't start his car 10 years ago during the coldest day on record". As far as AWD goes - if the roads are so bad that you can't get around in FWD and snow tires, then you absolutely should not be out because you can't stop any better than anybody else. Yet most of my coworkers (engineers
..."As an Architect I can assure you that this is a design issue with the house. Need to get a better designer. "...
Out here that translation: file a claim with the respective irresponsible but responsible entity (further translated to: fed, state, county, local , bridge entity, rail road crossing liaison, conveyance company, contractor, sub contractor, etc, etc,) that can plausibly deny fault. The first one will tell you to route it to other agencies. After about 3, it usually winds up close to the correct one. Wait 90 days for disapproval. .... But resubmit in 90 more days for FINAL disapproval.
I am repeating from specifications here, as I have NEVER had any suv clearance issues short of a dead body. The suv's I have state 10.5 in of clearance. If I so much as catch a big rig tire chunk in the right (wrong) place on my diesel car, I have 1..5 seconds to shut the engine down before catastrophic engine failure. I have to say I have been lucky in 105,000 miles but have had some REAL close calls, which would have raised ZERO concerns if I were in the SUV's.
It may be. I can tell you the suburbs In and around San Diego more drives are too steep than are built for modern clearance. I don't consider getting into and out of the vehicle a small issue. Maybe rabbit cages I would agree. SUV safety is also important to me.My new Sequoia has lower insurance rates than any car or wagon. My $50k 2007 Sequoia Limited is $400 per year less than my 2005 VW Passat Wagon TDI was. That is the difference in fuel for the year. 4X4 makes it easier to sell when you get around to it. I do wish it was diesel getting 30 MPG out on the highway. I cannot do anything about that. It is our fine government wasting the fuel. NOT me....It is now 10 years since I first started screaming about smaller diesel vehicles being needed. Remember when oil was $10 per barrel? I did not want to use anymore than was necessary.
Environmental Protection Agency is announcing the availability of almost $50 million in grant funding to establish clean diesel projects aimed at reducing emissions from the nation's existing fleet of diesel engines.
The unprecedented sum, which was authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and funded for the first time this fiscal year, will be administered by EPA's National Clean Diesel Campaign (NCDC) and its network of seven collaboratives, made up of EPA regional offices and public and private sector partners.
"Under President Bush's leadership, America's air is cleaner today than it was a generation ago," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "By encouraging innovations in existing diesel engines, EPA is driving the nation toward a clean, healthy, productive tomorrow."
Diesels are the economic workhorses of the nation, and over the past decade, EPA has set stringent new particulate and nitrogen oxide standards for most types of new engines. These regulations will annually prevent more than 20,000 premature deaths and yield more than $150 billion in public health benefits when fully implemented. The funding announced today, however, is aimed at reducing emissions from the existing fleet of 11 million diesel engines that pre-date these standards. Addressing the existing fleet is important because diesels remain in use for decades.
State, local, regional and tribal governments can apply for the grants, as well as non-profits and institutions with transportation, educational services and air quality responsibilities.
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (April 7, 2008) - Volkswagen of America, Inc.
announced today the selection of 30 drivers to compete in the all-new
Jetta TDI Cup series. The drivers were chosen at a driver selection
event April 3-6 at the Firebird Raceway in Phoenix, Ariz.
"We're offering a unique opportunity for some of the best and brightest
drivers to get their start in a factory-backed racing series," said
Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "Through
an exhausting driver evaluation process, we looked at a variety of
factors including driving ability and potential, media and communication
skills and overall fit, to choose the 30 best drivers to help promote
Volkswagen and the introduction of our all-new 50-state clean diesel
Jetta TDI, and ultimately themselves."