Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Hybrid Vehicles Hybrid Vehicles - Archived Discussions Hybrid Diesels? 
395 messages, Last post on Aug 29, 2007 at 7:27 AM
You are in the Hybrid Vehicles - Archived Discussions Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer
This discussion is ARCHIVED. To reactivate the discussion, post a request in the Lost? Ask the Hybrids Host for directions! discussion.
How's this for a Hybrid Diesel? 
|
|
|
I wonder if one of those would fit under my hood?? There's a pretty good reason there hasn't been as many hybrid diesel cars produced. The gains to be had are less. Diesels are already throttle-free and lean-burn, so for one thing moving from a 2.0L to a 3.0L doesn't hurt efficiency as much as with a gas engine, and a smaller lean-burn engine is one of the reasons for moving to a hybrid. Of course, there's regenerative braking and other efficiencies to be had but with the GrandSport, the hybrid makes the diesel 20% more efficient, which is not the same gain as a gas engine gets ( although the net efficiency is still higher ). |
|
|
It would definitely take a lot of space to put a 3200 HP diesel engine in a car, hybrid or not. There have been some diesel-electric prototypes, but I wouldn’t bet against seeing a production diesel-electric car soon. It might come from Honda of all places. The limiting factor may be the bulk of diesel engines themselves. If Honda installs an electric motor, twice as powerful as that in the Civic Hybrid (30 HP  2500 to 4000 rpm, 75 lb.-ft 1000-2500 rpm), to go with its 2.2-liter CTD-I engine current used in European Accord (140 HP 4000 rpm, 245 lb.-ft 2000 rpm), the power train would deliver 170 HP / 310+ lb.-ft, while improving upon the mileage that the CTD-I already does (rated 52 mpg mixed driving in UK) and definitely improving emissions (smog/green house) with the added benefits of idle stop and regenerative braking etc. Sure, it would be possible to add displacement to the 2.2-liter engine to get that kind of power, but in the process, emissions will go up, and mileage will go down. And then, another aspect that electric power brings is replacing the current mechanical AWD system (while adding power). That’s an area I want to see hybrids touch in a big way. Lotus had plans of creating a sports car using diesel-electric hybrid power train, not sure if they are going with it or not. |
|
|
Next time you go to the airport, look closely at the tractors that move the planes around. Just need a battery bank to store the kinetic energy when you have to stop faster than coasting gradually. |
|
|
I found this an interesting bit of hybrid information. GM has already delivered diesel hybrid buses to transit systems. "Consumer-based tax credits will play a critical role in gaining market acceptance by making these technologies more affordable." This is to offset the thousands of dollars more per vehicle cost for consumer vehicles. What are the tax credits now on the hybrids? http://www.gm.com/company/gmability/adv_tech/300_hybrids/hyb_time- - line.html |
|
|
|
|
The Seattle Hybrid buses were very expensive, at $600,000 a pop, vs 200,000 plus change for the regular non-hybrid diesel buses. they had all kinds of subsidies from the govt, Seattle hopes they will save 700,000 gallons of diesel fuel a year. (a fleet of 250 buses, if i remember right) This is still to be seen, but it is true that the most efficient hybrids are diesel-electrics. And not just buses, cars and light trucks. |
|
|
Replying to: well_informed (Jun 18, 2004 9:36 am)
|
|
|
Replying to: gagrice (Jun 18, 2004 11:32 am)
|
|
You are here:
Forums
Hybrid Vehicles Hybrid Vehicles - Archived Discussions Hybrid Diesels?
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
