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Comments
:shades:
It may be that Mr. Peabody has all he can do producing 50% of our electricity. Good question though.
Not only will it help our farmers, it will reduce the amount of waste in our landfills, help cleanup the air (except for NOx), pinch the oil companies a little bit, and reduce the funds being sent over to middle east terrorists.
"The U.S. consumer is very uneducated about diesel. There is still a mindset from the 1970s and 1980s that diesel is dirty, has poor performance, is loud and not reliable," he said, when in fact the opposite is true of modern common-rail diesels.
Daimler has said diesel's U.S. market share could quadruple by 2015 from around 3 percent now and is itching to use its European diesel expertise not just in Mercedes-Benz cars but also to expand offerings in U.S. brands like Jeep and Chrysler.
Ford Motor Co is also keen on the technology, hoping to gain a competitive edge over hybrids from Japan's Toyota Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co.
Proponents note that diesels cost less to produce than hybrids -- about 15 percent more than a conventional gasoline car versus 25 percent more for gasoline-electric hybrids, according to Tokyo-based Yano Research Institute.
Hybrids also need stop-and-go driving for top efficiency, while diesels thrive on U.S.-style wide-open highways.
Diesel
Yes, that is true. I was going by the CAFE standard which says the automakers average vehicle should get 27 MPG. We know that is kind of ambiguous because of all the PU trucks that are not close to that. So far no one has come up with a hybrid solution to the truck needs of the nation. Toyota says it will but has some BIG problems to overcome. Like being able to tow heavy loads.
Now to your 25% hybrid solution. I would say they would be replacing similar sized cars. The reality is the hybrid solution is more like 10-20% better FE, over comparable gas only. If you compare it to comparable diesel cars they are a wash. Giving hybrids the benefit of the doubt and 20% increase in fuel economy. That would mean you have a net gain of 20% of the 25% highest fuel efficient cars in the fleet. I would imagine that 25% you replaced only use about 15% of the gasoline. That means you may save about 3-4% of the overall usage in the USA, with the added 25% hybrids to the fleet. That does not take into consideration the potential pollution that all the dead batteries may cause in the years to come.
The Toyota Tundra is probably one of Toyota's best selling V8 trucks and it is a most excellent product.
(If I had need for it, I would want a turbo diesel Tundra !)
And of course it is done IAW CAFE regulations!!!
Now the very interesting thing is in Europe they do not have an equivalent " USA CAFE" system. So in a very interesting way they can actually manufacture cars like the VW Jetta TDI, whose EPA is 42/49 and with unofficial data on the www.fueleconomy.gov gets 43-63 mpg. combo of 48.6 mpg. In terms of mpg, very AVERAGE over there. Of course for here the only one that might come close is the Toyota Prius.
So as I said in a prior post, I would not be for increased CAFE regulations, as it will further delay higher mileage vehicles; that the public would drive in droves, if they could buy them.
In reality the Jetta TDI would get better than that if it were not for the added pollution control to compensate up for lousy diesel.
MORE POWER AW AW AW!
But,... oxymoronically, if I do not "get on it", as you have mentioned: BETTER FUEL MILEAGE!!! What is there not to like??!!!
This is an interesting take.
I bought a used 1970 VW Beetle in 1971 for 1800 dollars and drove it for app 250,000 miles. The only unscheduled maintainance I had on the thing was a clutch at 109k miles for 135 dollars at a VW specialty shop and a case of Heineken. (hot in Miami, FL) Of course did the 1.5k-3k oil changes (geez that was a lot of oil changes) (over 84) shocks, brakes, alignment tires, balance. the reason why I sold it was it was a CA VW with no A/C, lived in Miami, FL at the time.
Fast forward to a 1985 Toyota Camry. I had 3k in JUST unscheduled repairs (less than 95k miles) and it would have easily been much more if it were not for the "secret" warranty. My guess on the secret warranty retail cost 2,450(new brake pads, rotors, drive line transmission components, springs,shocks and struts, alignment and tire balance) Even with 5450 in rehab, I was so frustrated with it, I sold it (4500, which by the way was an EXCELLENT price)
The timing of the new diesel fuel is good, considering President Bush's warning last week about America's addiction to foreign oil. In his State of the Union address, he called on consumers and automakers to help reduce the nation's Mideast oil imports by 75 percent by 2025.
Bush also called for an alternative fuels program, which could include biodiesel, a blend of regular diesel and soybean or other vegetable oil.
The National Biodiesel Conference, sponsored by a trade group, is being held through tomorrow at the San Diego Convention Center.
Stephen L. Johnson, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, will address the group and view some of the new diesel cars today.
DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes-Benz will introduce five diesel models next year, beginning with the E320 BlueTec sedan.
BlueTec uses an oxidizing catalytic converter and a diesel particulate filter, among other engine modifications, to minimize emissions. Combined fuel mileage rating will be 35 mpg, compared with about 22 mpg for the gasoline-powered E350 V-6.
The same technology will be available for other DaimlerChrysler vehicles, such as the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Jeep Liberty SUV and Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Honda, Nissan and BMW also showed diesel technology at the Detroit show.
Diesels are less complex than gasoline-electric hybrid systems and easier to install. The price premium is less, too, usually $1,000 to $1,500 for passenger cars.
Diesel conference
The history channel had a special on this true American pioneer. One of the truly revolutionary uses ( of literally hundreds of revolutionary uses of both the peanut and soybean (both crop and renewable resources was using soybean oils for "biodiesel" (they didn't call it that back then)
BioWillie went on sale at an alternative fuel station in San Diego where the 72-year-old singer drew a crowd as he filled his tour bus from a pump emblazoned with a picture of himself strumming a guitar.
"It is the future," Nelson said. "Through biodiesel, we can reduce dependency on foreign oil and adopt an energy source that's clean renewable and helps family farmers find new uses for their products."
Actress Darryl Hannah, who drives a biodiesel-powered black Chevrolet El Camino, joined the singer at Pearson Ford Fuel Depot, where drivers can also fill 'em up on propane, ethanol and natural gas.
Biodiesel is America's fastest growing alternative fuel, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. U.S. sales of biodiesel tripled last year to 75 million gallons, but account for less than 1 percent of the diesel fuel sold nationwide, said Jenna Higgins, a spokeswoman for the National Biodiesel Board, which is hosting a conference on biodiesel in San Diego. More than 600 filling stations sell biodiesel to the public. Nelson first learned about biodiesel three years ago when his wife, Annie, purchased a biodiesel-burning car in Hawaii, where the star has a home. The biodiesel that powered her Volkswagen Jetta was made from grease collected from restaurants. He bought a diesel Mercedes and then began filling his tour buses with biodiesel.
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/breaking_news/13824770.htm
So as an anecdotal, the car has literally been flawless. with a bit over 2.5 years and 70,000 miles.
This is not the entire text.
COMMODITIES CORNER
Ethanol's poised to fuel a drive for corn
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Corn's looking particularly tasty these days -- at least for investors looking to cash in on the ethanol craze.
The renewable fuel comes from fermented sugar -- which can be derived from all kinds of biomass, including corn. As the world's largest producer and exporter of the crop, it makes most sense for the United States to use corn to produce ethanol.
"Corn futures have the potential to explode higher due to increased demand from ethanol production," said Chris Kraft, an analyst at CKFutures.com.
Demand for the alternative fuel has already helped sugar prices double in the past six months to trade over 19 cents per pound on the New York Board of Trade -- their highest levels since 1981.
The problem with hybrid cars is they have an expensive power train. Hybrids have two engines connected by an expensive electronic kit. They're likely to always cost more than a clean diesel power train. Once consumers add up the costs and benefits for hybrid cars, they aren't likely to do as well over the long term. There will always be people willing to pay more for an environmentally friendly car. But people who are constrained by costs and still want a fuel-efficient car will opt for clean diesel.
http://www.businessweek.com/autos/content/feb2006/bw20060208_589016.htm
Widespread misperceptions of diesel as dirty and loud, regulatory hurdles and diesel engines’ extra cost will make it a challenge to pitch the vehicles in the US market, even though their fuel consumption beats petrol engines hands down.
It is that 30% advantage on fuel economy that the Europeans, led by DaimlerChrysler, are counting on to convince Americans they can still afford to drive the big, heavy vehicles they love, even if fuel prices stay high for years.
“The US consumer is very uneducated about diesel. There is still a mindset from the 1970s and 1980s that diesel is dirty, has poor performance, is loud and not reliable,” he said, when in fact the opposite is true of modern common-rail diesel.
Bob Lutz, head of product development for General Motors, knows where the badmouthing of diesel started.
“They have a reputation of being noisy, smelly and breaking down a lot, and we have General Motors to thank for that,” he told a recent industry conference. “We did some diesel engines about 20 years ago that were an absolute disgrace.” – Reuters
more diesel news
What Does One Barrel Of Crude Oil Make?
QUICK STATS
- One barrel of crude oil contains 42 gallons
- About 46% of each barrel of crude oil is refined into automobile gasoline
- In the US and Canada an average of 3 gallons of crude oil are consumed per person each day
- The US imports about 50% of it's required crude oil and about 50% of that amount comes from OPEC countries
Product Refined Gallons/Barrel
Gasoline 19.3
Distillate Fuel Oil (Inc. Home Heating and Diesel Fuel) 9.83
Kerosene Type Jet Fuel 4.24
Residual Fuel Oil 2.10
Petroleum Coke 2.10
Liquified Refinery Gases 1.89
Still Gas 1.81
Asphalt and Road Oil 1.13
Petrochemical Feed Supplies 0.97
Lubricants 0.46
Kerosene 0.21
Waxes 0.04
Aviation Fuel 0.04
Other Products 0.34
Processing Gain 2.47
Source: EIA March 2004 Data
http://www.sanjosegasprices.com/crude_products.aspx
Where it differs markedly from petro oil is diesel can be refined from MANY other ways
1. Crops (renewable resources)a. soy beans b. rape seed c. crops raised for cooking oils d. etc
2. Waste streams such as 40,000 gals of bio diesel refined from waste oils delivered to the Berkeley CA "DUMP"
3. Waste streams from estabilished farming operations
4. refining does NOT require a multi billion dollar refining facility as petro oil does a. biodiesel can be refined in your back yard if so permited/required/wanted b. no way Jose with petro oil.
Go to Washingtonpost.com.
There is ZERO DOWNSIDE to pomoting clean cars with government incentives. it is one of the jobs of the govt to keep the air clean. Zero Downside.
http://www.bloomberg.com/energy/
No GASSER hyrid advocates have articulated a viable way to get OFF unleaded regular except to mantra on that less needs to be used. I woule indeed say the vilification makes it almost certain future and FURTHER dependence ON foreign oil!! Well the math would indicate that for example, if 12-15% % of the vehicles ran on bio diesel and 10 %ran on ethanol and 10% ran on LNG, ALL of which again by the way can be DOMESTICALLY produced, that indeed would structural shift the demand from unleaded regular. The math would indicate given the example, 35% reduction in demand for unleaded regular !!!!! ?????
Hybrids should not be granted special dispensation to drive in HOV lanes with only the driver. First, it defeats the purpose of HOV lanes, namely to get vehicles off of the roads. Three or four hybrids with driver alone will pollute more (adding their emissions together)than one non-hybrid with three or four people in it.
Again, promoting cleaner cars is not the issue here. The issue is allowing them to use HOV lanes with the driver only.
"We're concerned about the unrestricted growth of hybrids because if HOV stops working for one class of vehicles, it stops working for all classes, including buses and carpoolers," Transportation Secretary Pierce R. Homer said.
Many commuters recognize the dilemma.
"The whole point of HOV is to get fewer cars on the road," said Bill Faith, an Annandale resident and sometime carpooler. "To allow them to come in as single cars doesn't make any sense. Don't let them clog up roads and have more traffic. It's just silly."
Too many hybrids
WHY??
Lets hear the froth from the hybrid mantra-ists!!??
According to statistics maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency, the cleanest and most popular hybrids, the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic, emit half as many smog-causing pollutants as a standard Honda Accord, Ford Explorer and other popular models.
In most cases, that clearly favors hybrids. But in carpool lanes, where two or three passengers are normally required, the benefits are negated. A car such as the Explorer with three people in it, for instance, pollutes less than three hybrids with solo travelers.
First it takes a spot in the lane that a carpool vehicle should have. It also negates the mileage that the vehicle is capable of. If the hybrid keeps up with the HOV lane traffic he will be traveling 70-75 MPH. That kills the MPG that the car was designed to achieve. It encourages commuters to buy a separate car instead of car pooling or taking mass transit.
Turns out that's not necessarily so. Going by the California Air Resources Board's website, SULEV vehicles (which include all the hybrids and some other cars) emit only 30% or less as ULEV vehicles do.
So three Priuses (SULEV) pollute less than one Explorer (LEV II / ULEV).
But the list of Cleanest Cars includes a lot of non-hyrids. I guess the government decided it was worth giving manufacturers an artificial incentive to further develop hybrids. And it's a way to limit the clean cars allowed into carpool lanes; they're still pretty free-flowing, but after a while they'll stop the carpool lane stickers (they do regular reviews of the program).
In any case, it's not like a parent-child carpool takes any vehicles off the road either.
My CRD puts out 9 tons of greenhouse gases per year. A 2006 MB diesel puts out 6.9 tons, while the VW Golf puts out 5.3.
A more realistic comparison would be a Camry with 3 people. And they are available as SULEV II. That would make the 3 Prii big polluters. Now if a Prius was used as the car poolers transportation I can see some real advantage to the environment. Otherwise it is a poor piece of legislation.
I agree that it is a poor piece of legislation. They should have no special dispensation for use in HOV lanes. It appears as if some of the legislatures have been politically bamboozled!
Not following here, did you mean 20,000 - 25,000 hours?
I like the article. Will be interesting to see what the future holds.
Honda has a superior diesel engine in it's 2.2 i-CTDi than any diesel Toyota offers IMO. And no one, Honda included, has demonstrated the ability to match Toyota's hybrid technology.
Honda Accord Tourer with 2.2 i-CTDi is the diesel I would most want to see Honda offer in USA. It would be excellent competition for the Camry Hybrid.
If Honda brings diesel to US/Canada, I hope they brind their UK advertising agency too!
Toyota, on the other hand, is putting all of their eggs into the hybrid basket. It looks as if Toyota is counting on or even possibly promoting hatred toward diesel power. The comment about the cost of diesel is smoke and mirrors. Hybrids are not cheap and neither is that technology. I think that Toyota may have gone out on a limb with the hybrids and if diesels take hold, they could get slammed.
I suspect that if diesels take off with the advent of US low sulfur diesel fuel, the hybrids will lose some sales, but the two will probably about even out due to the consumer reluctance to use diesels here. Older drivers will hesitate to embrace diesel. Blame GM - their early 1980's gas-derived diesel engines were an absolute disaster.
I see from the UK advertisement that Monty Python is alive and well...
What people do not realize, and Toyota does not want them to realize, is that technology, be it hybrid or diesel costs money. The statement by that guy from Toyota about the cost of diesel, shows that Toyota wants to smother diesels. Hybrid technology costs several thousands of dollars per vehicle over the non-hybrid siblings. Diesel costs more than gas but not several thousands more. In a Jetta, s diesel is a sub-300 dollar option. In the Jeep Liberty CRD, it is less than 900 dollars.
The emission systems on a diesel will cost a bit of money so hybrid people will harp on that. The issue they are missing is that they are paying for the complex emission systems on their hybrids as well as the non-hybrid siblings. They will grouse about the noise a diesel makes. My CRD is pretty darn quiet at idle.
As to Monty Python, I miss them.
However the design life of the VW TDI diesel engine is @ 25,000 hours. So figuring on 45-50 mph, that puts the design mileage between 1,125,000 to 1,250,000 miles.
Now given the yearly auto salvage rate of 7-7.5%,(NHTSA estimates of 235.4 M vehicles) average mileage of 12,000 to 15,000 and the average age of the vehicle fleet of 8 to 8.5 years old, that swags the mileage between 84,000 to 127,500.
So, why buy ONE diesel vehicle when 10-15 gasser, gasser/hybrids vehicles will do?