stack

i am doing an article for my school newspaper abouot hybrids and diesels and how hybrids are usless and diesels do more mpg than hybrids.....do u guys have any arguments about this ...comments thank you

lkchris

Hybrids are for city driving.

On long highway trips, all you're doing is carrying around the weight of the batteries.

Flatlander1961

When a Hyrid reaches the end of it's life there is a lot of toxic waste to dispose of. Hybrids are a scam to make folks feel like they are doing something for the planet. It is just a sales tactic.

lkchris

Yes, there are a lot of dreamers/believers out there these days. "Change," you know.

Untertürkheim

Do research on the diesel engine, it uses compression ignition, which is inheriently much more efficient than the otto cycle (how a gasoline engine runs). Diesels are also more durable, which means less recycling cost (plus no toxic batteries to dispose of) plus less environmental impact from the manufacturing process.

Diesels are extremely efficient on the highway, hybrids only benefit from a lot of stop time or regenerative brake force.

lkchris

"Compression ignition" isn't inherently more efficient.

What's more efficient about diesels is

higher compression
use of fuel that contains more energy than gasoline
ability to run at variable fuel/air ratios
no throttle (now available on some gasoline engines)

Yes, a diesel hybrid will be more efficient than a gasoline hybrid.

Untertürkheim

Well, you may feel like being argumentative, I am still right, all you did was list various aspects of a compression ignition engine while I only mentioned the concept.

In order to have compression ignition, you need a compression ratio high enough to heat the air hot enough to ignite the fuel, meaning you have a more complete combustion than with the otto-cycle where a good deal is left uncombusted.

BB_45B

Weren't the pre-nuclear submarines diesel electric? So before you say "...how hybrids are usless.. " I would look at some history before you trash such an important part of our WWII navy.

OK, I am just yanking your chain, (well there is some serious history there; check it out) but it might be nice to expand your view to include both.

A diesel-hybird would offer a very efficient option.

gflatt

A diesel-hybird would offer a very efficient option.[/QUOTE]


You are "CORRECT SIR" diesel electric is also touted loudly by the rail industry
as the reason their per ton cost are so low, but they should mention their sole
advantage of having "steel on steel" near 0 rolling resistance. I do expect to see over the road diesel rigs to be fitted with DC generators and wheel drives
in lew of transmissions and differentials in the future. Similar to the current diesel electric train, which could be (IN a perfect world) nuclear powered.
To give my 2cents to the hybrid debate, diesel electric would be the logical choice of hybridizing but for ignorance, bias and greed. I cant leave out GM's
attempt to wow the auto industry in the mid 70s with their diesel
(thing) cant really call it an engine.

Wolfgang

Daimler makes a number of diesel electric hybrids. Here's an info file about the Orion VII diesel electric hybrid bus which is in revenue service in San Francisco since 2006, and New York City, and Toronto, and is developed with BAE Systems, Cummins and A123 Systems' lithium ion battery technology.

http://www.dcbusna.com/Projects/c2c/...on_Q2_2008.pdf

Those in Toronto had some difficulties was reported recently, and may need to switch from the lead acid to lithium-ion batteries for better reliability, or back to diesel according to this article:

http://www.timesoftheinternet.com/13179.html

Wolfgang

PS. The schematic...

The Orion VII is a series hybrid, similar to the Chevy Volt range extended electric vehicle (RE-EV).

Crazy MB Rob

I was in an emissions class recently and the teacher was discussing hybrids and possibilities of the future. I mentioned diesel technology. He argued that if diesel fuel prices stayed as high as they were or were to rise again that no one would buy diesels. But again I have to disagree. Volkswagen TDIs have been and still are getting 50mpg. Who isn't going to want mileage like that and how many hybrids can boast mileage like that? And I'm not talking miniature hybrids, I'm talking normal sized cars. Not only that, but the Mercedes BlueTech diesels among a lot of newer diesel technology is a lot cleaner running than it ever used to be. The wise thing to do would be to lower the cost of diesel fuel. Even the ultra low sulfur diesel is still a less refined fuel than regular gasoline...so what's with the high cost!??!?