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Comments
I'd be happy with $2.58 right now.
69 mpg and 143 mph are from US site that I can not link to due to Edmunds TOS.
Cool concept.
Unfortunately it's attached to the worst domestic truck :P
To be fair, this was more true before the Ram redesign. These days, I can't really say.
Let's start maybe by making it LEGAL to sell diesels in every state before we start talking about diesels ruling the USA, OK? Alrightythen.
Hybrids are HERE NOW, getting better, super reliable (see the CU list of most reliable cars - many hybrids on the list, NARY a diesel) getting cleaner (2006 HCH is AT-PVEZ), getting cheaper (Toyota issuing commands to the engineers to cut hybrid component costs by 50%) getting more common (more new models in 2006 and 2007) and are awesome in regards to MPG (Prius marathon results 109 MPG in one tank.)
I wouldn't swap my diesel tractor for any other power source.
Can't wait to get my first diesel engine car here in California. Possibly the new generation Ford SportTrac.
John
I knew you couldn't stay away from the real action. Think about this. Toyota cuts cost and quality of the hybrid parts by 50%. Where does that leave the problem prone Prius. You can't just cut costs without giving up something. Will it be the already questionable longevity of the batteries?
That's just silly Gary.
Just because a few cars needed a software update and the owners ignored the TSB does not make a "problem prone" car out of the Prius.
Get real, please, you are smarter than that.
Diesel Civic
Well, not in North America. Won't be long though.
quote-Indeed, with low emissions figures of just 135g/km of CO2, the diesel-engined Civic falls comfortably under the stringent European regulations.-end
Jetropha Seed Diesel
Do the math, then buy a diesel.
Hopefully 2007 will be the breakthrough year in CA, but I am not holding my breath.
John
Diesel, the possibilites are endless.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/246886_autoshow03.html
"Gasoline prices may have eased, but diesel still has truckers, others feeling pain at the pump"
Anyway, the column guy (angus Mckenzie?) was describing living in England with some diesels (BMW 7 series and a big Audi). Basically described behavior that most American's would love (think gobs of right now torque), with excellent MPG for their size and performance.
The other real interesting article, and something that I think will lead toward a shift toward diesels in general, is new research/technology for making alternate bio fuels more efficiently. The piece I remember is a new process for extracting fuel from the whole corn unit (cob, etc.), not just the kernels like they do today. Also said that many other products, including waste paper, could be the raw material source.
If you want energy self sufficiency, this makes sense. A bunch of militants can shut of the flow of crude from the Middle East, but I don't think the US is going to run out of space to grow corn or soy beans.
WOuldn't it be nice if you could just swing into the local gas station for a tank of bio, instead of having to stop at the local Wendy's and brewing your own?
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
besides, if some sap tappers in Vermont can make their own fuel, you would think that the vast technological might of the US could figure out a cost effective way to do the same thing on a larger scale.
Finally, if my choices are driving an old VW rabbit that smells like French Fries, or walking, I'll take life in the slow lane.
and don't foget, the more new cars switch to bio fuel, the cheaper it will be to buy gas (supply/demand). Especially if China gets on the bio bandwagon.
Think of the possibilities: A "real" rice burner!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
But I don't see big oil rolling over so easy. It will take a bit before there is enough bio-oil plants in the US to make a difference. Figure 2010 beyond.
http://southeastfarmpress.com/news/110405-Corn-outlook/
Even though ethanol is a bright spot for corn guys, no one is going to be planting just for bio diesel oil.
John
Besides, there will certainly need to be a legacy gasoline infrastructure for a long time, but the supplies will last much longer if the bulk of new cars switch to bio (or a blend).
This is how economics works, and why many smart people weren't that concerned about running out of oil. Basically, when it became neccessary (and profitable), new solutions would be developed. Cars replaced horses, buses replaced trolleys, nuclear power replaced diesel (subs), etc.
The smart oil companies will try to get out in front. Really, what's the difference between taking biodiesel from a plant and distributing it to stations and taking gasoline (or petro diesel) from a refinery and distributing it?
ANd, shouldn't be too much NIMBY action for bio diesel refinerys, especially if they are near the source (that is, way out in the country!)) Just try and build a new oil refinery in this country and see how far you get.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
"Volvo: Diesel Is Clear Alternative In Most European Countries
Carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas produced by the combustion of all fuels, is considered by many observers to represent the greatest long-term threat to our planet’s environment. The automotive industry has accepted its responsibility in this context and is working intensively not only on advanced engines and more efficient power trains, but also on alternatives to fossil fuels. Meanwhile, more and more people believe that the diesel is a better alternative than the petrol engine. For various reasons, however, the diesel is still regarded with caution and scepticism in some countries, including Greece, Sweden and the USA, where it is consistently overtaxed and restricted by law."
“From the perspective of the US customer, the diesel is less attractive since low fuel prices there make the potential benefits small. In addition, there is widespread scepticism about this type in the USA,” notes Anders Eugensson of Volvo Cars who, as head of Governmental Affairs, liases with official agencies all around the world in consultation with representative bodies like ACEA in Europe."
Over taxed is the key in the USA. Over taxing diesel costs EVERYONE with every purchase you make. Nothing appears by magic at the store. It is all transported by a vehicle burning diesel. If there is a travesty in our taxation system that one stands out. It costs less to refine and deliver diesel than it does gasoline. The taxes especially in states like CA are the reason gas is cheaper than diesel. It keeps the ignorant masses happy. They don't understand that they just paid 20 cents a pound more for apples because of the high cost of diesel.
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/gdu/gasdiesel.asp
the Latrobe Valley in eastern Victoria, Australia is the leading choice for what could be the first "clean" production of gas and sulfur-free diesel and naphtha in Australia from the processing of coal.
http://www.iags.org/n092903t2.htm
Light-duty diesel (LDD) vehicles are cars, mini- and full-sized vans, and small and fullsized
pickup trucks that use diesel fuel as opposed to gasoline. Today’s advanced
LDDs offer turbo-charged high performance, high fuel economy, and low emissions
incomparable to past gasoline and diesel engines. These new LDDs provide 45 percent
better fuel economy compared to the equivalent gasoline powered car. Consumer
reaction where these cars are available is positive. Prior to 1998 diesel car sales in
Europe were typically 20 percent of the new automobile market. Since the introduction
of LDDs in 1998, 48 percent of European new vehicles sales are LDDs. LDDs also offer
higher torque (better response) and greater engine durability that make them more
attractive in California’s market.
Due to California’s stringent NOx emission standards, limited LDDs were sold from
1998-2004, and no LDDs have been sold in California since 2004. LDDs cannot meet
existing emission standards with the present high sulfur diesel fuels. Vehicle
manufacturers have made significant investments in advanced technologies and are
demonstrating prototypes that will meet the adopted 2007 standards. With the
availability of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel beginning in 2006, in combination with the
advanced diesel engine technology, LDDs may succeed in meeting California’s
stringent NOx standards. To be a viable, fuel-efficient option, consumers will have to
overcome the higher initial purchase price, estimated at $1,000 to $3,000, and the
petroleum industry will need to increase the number of diesel fueling stations.
John (Sorry about formatting, copied from PDF)
Clean Diesel
Just a little less than one year and clean diesel will be 90% of all on-highway diesel fuel.
It is taking too long to introduce ULSD diesel. The emissions regulations should never have been lowered until the ULSD was available.
With any luck, GM Daewoo will equal GM diesel in USA at some point in the future.
Time to move to Canada!
http://www.japanesecarfans.com/news.cfm/newsid/2050823.006/page/4/lang/eng/mazda/1.html
John
John
Nissan planning diesels.
Honda planning diesels.
Daimler bringing more Chrysler and Mercedes diesel.
Toyota, GM and Ford going hybrid.
There are going to be some interesting times!
Now if I am going to buy a hybrid - which i would never do - would I buy it from bill ford? No. I would buy it from the Japanese.
It is just astounding that these guys don't even see the radar image that there is a big group of us waiting here just dying to buy a small 50 mpg American Diesel car.
Equally astounding is the stupidity of Volkswagen. They should be flooding us with TDi's. I am already turned off with the stories of people paying above msrp. If I could get a Jetta TDi wagon at a good price, I would write the check tomorrow. But no, they discontinue the Jetta.
Looks like I will continue to drive my Econoline until one of the Japanese offer a compelling diesel.
Bye Bye Ford
2006 should be the first intro of the new diesel fuel in the US market, so we will likely see the cars (finally) coming in 2007. Nothing wrong with the manufacturers, we are dealing with a political problem here. But, Pres. Bush has indicated that this needs to be fast tracked so I believe we will see it sooner rather than later.
John