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Hybrid vs. Clean Diesel: Make a case for one or the other
If purchasing a 'green' vehicle with great fuel economy, which technology is a better option and why.
An example of a clean diesel car is the 2008 VW TDI, many hybrid examples exist but one is the Toyota Prius. Feel free to pick different example car models - current technology and car models - please.
An example of a clean diesel car is the 2008 VW TDI, many hybrid examples exist but one is the Toyota Prius. Feel free to pick different example car models - current technology and car models - please.
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I suggest you go for the Hybrid - for there is a huge range of cars. Here's the one's I recommend:
Toyota Kluger
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0b/2008_Toyota_Highlander.jpg/800px-2008_Toyota_Highlander.jpg
Ford Fusion (Note: it will be updated with the Sport version in 2010 shown underneath current model)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/2010_Ford_Fusion.jpg/800px-2010_Ford_Fusion.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ea/2010_Ford_Fusion_Sport--DC.jpg/800px-2010_Ford_Fusion_Sport--DC.jpg
Honda Civic Hybrid
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/27/06-08_Honda_Civic_Hybrid.jpg/800px-06-08_Honda_Civic_Hybrid.jpg
I love your picture by the way! ;)
Back to the point....
Ultra low sulfur diesel - or clean diesel - is extremely cheap! Nearly $0.05 to $0.25 - however by going hybrid you can be able to you use more than one fuel - so when you run out of petrol, you can switch to electricity and vice versa.
cjd
Toyota Kluger
Ford Fusion (Note: it will be updated with the Sport version in 2010 shown underneath current model)
Honda Civic Hybrid
I love your picture by the way! ;)
Back to the point....
Ultra low sulfur diesel - or clean diesel - is extremely cheap! Nearly $0.05 to $0.25 - however by going hybrid you can be able to you use more than one fuel - so when you run out of petrol, you can switch to electricity and vice versa.
cjd
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Thanks for everyone'e input. cjd wins because of the specific examples of car models and that the case was made for one (in this case hybrid) technology. Still was looking for some further technical details (like engine design, fuel technology, perhaps statistice about foreign ans US car makers etc.) and reference info from all, thanks again.
I don't think either is an ultimate answer. Both are gateways to reducing emissions.
Why can't we have a hybrid clean diesel? And then eventually electric vehicles?
I hope you get some answers specifically saying which is better. But IMO both are excellent first steps. I might lean towards the hybrid only because it reduces the US's dependence on foreign oil. If there were a hybrid diesel that would be the way to go. Although remember that increased pressure on diesel is likely to raise the price of diesel and make it just as expensive to run.
Why can't we have a hybrid clean diesel? And then eventually electric vehicles?
I hope you get some answers specifically saying which is better. But IMO both are excellent first steps. I might lean towards the hybrid only because it reduces the US's dependence on foreign oil. If there were a hybrid diesel that would be the way to go. Although remember that increased pressure on diesel is likely to raise the price of diesel and make it just as expensive to run.
In the U.S., I pick the hybrid. The technology is solid and, when gasoline is needed, the price is better than diesel and somewhat more available. I have a friend who's been driving a Prius for five years now, and there are no complaints. City driving is especially rewarding, as braking "contributes" to the power supply and increases the MPG. Given today's driving environment (congestion being the norm), the hybrid delivers more than enough power.
If we were in Europe, I would be arguing the clean diesel standpoint. They've been making some amazingly sporty, fuel efficient (50+ mpg) turbo diesel for years now, none of which are imported to the U.S. If there's one thing that hybrids lack, it's flash.
If we were in Europe, I would be arguing the clean diesel standpoint. They've been making some amazingly sporty, fuel efficient (50+ mpg) turbo diesel for years now, none of which are imported to the U.S. If there's one thing that hybrids lack, it's flash.
"clean" diesel is just a marketing ploy. Hybrid at least has it half right, using clean energy (electrical) to power the car part of the time. We are being sold a bill of goods on "clean diesel" and "biodiesel" - which, by the way, is about 10% "bio" and 90% diesel. Don't be taken in by good marketing verbiage. "whereas diesels are about "20 percent cleaner when it comes to carbon dioxide emissions," they are dirtier when it comes to other emissions such as nitrous oxide." "the level of invisible ultra-fine nano-particles of less than 0.1 micrometer in diameter rose more than several tens of thousands of times." Diesel engines still put out PM (particulate matter); they're just smaller, so you don't see the tell-tale black smoke emissions ...
source(s):
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/03/is-clean-diesel-good.php
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2008-12/04/content_7270403.htm
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/03/is-clean-diesel-good.php
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2008-12/04/content_7270403.htm
You're kind of ignoring the fact that diesels are very fuel efficient. They get better gas mileage than even hybrids by a good amount.
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Thanks for picking me as best answer, but truthfully - I don't think I am worthy of this best answer for I believe bbrookin and pazaq's answers were very good. However, I appreciate that you liked that I gave a list of cars with images and thought it was worthy of best answer!
cjd