Your Mileage May Vary
Test-driving the alternatives to gas-guzzlers
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As a long time automotive enthusiast I can say that I think some of your figures seem a little off, especially the gasoline vs diesel mileage estimates. Europe uses lots of diesels because the little diesel four bangers that everyone (GM & Ford too not just VW & other Euro brands) makes over there get in the 40 to 50 MPG range. Also straight vegetable oil (or SVO) is the fuel that diesel engines must be converted to run on while B100 can require some extra maintenance (fuel filter changes) and tank conversions (heater kits to keep your fuel from becoming gelly in cold weather). How off you guys seem to be is a little disappointing.
Any way you slice it, it's good to see energy alternatives rather than 100% dependency on oil. Should we run into a real problem getting oil in the future, all is NOT lost, civilization as we know it will generally continue to operate, and maybe someday we'll even have a Mr. Ethanol in the driveway, throw your compostables in, add water, wait 30 minutes, fill the car. Hey, it could happen...
Why hasn't anyone in the media done a comparison with the cars sold in EU and there much better fuel mileage (82% are diesels) relative to the GM, Ford, & Chrysler that are being produced here in the US.
Volkswagen has a three cyclinder diesel hybrid that averages over 75 mpg and NO ONE has heard of it here in the US. The EU car manufactures are a great example to hold up to a gas guzzling manufacturers here in the US.
What about the bicycle.
I fueled up on 1 cup of coffee and a bowl of cereal for my 10 mile commute.
That is 40 calories per mile, the same as if I drove.
Electric cars require electrical power generation. In North America this is still mostly fossil fueled, so while your e-car is carbon free at the point of consumption, it is still a major carbon emitter at the source. Another over-riding consideration is that electric generation from oil (and transmitting it long distances) is only about thirty percent efficient compared to using it directly for motion. In other words, a gallon of oil gets you three times as far if used directly for transportion. Plug-in electric cars will be truly zero-carbon only when their electricity is generated entirely by non-fossil fueled means. How about some micro-nuke plants producing electricity locally. This spins off into discussions about co-generation, zone heating and cooling etc.
The point by havelock thompson is well made, but it is worth noting that large central carbon burning operation like a coal plant is much more efficient than a small gas engine, so the total carbon foot print of a e-car is still much lower, even if the electricity source is carbon powered.
For Brian, for those of us who have to take kids to school and travel (250 miles per day), a bicycle is not a viable option. What do you propose for those of us in that boat?
Electric cars seem to be the way to go, if we can't get any of these mysterious diesel Volks here in the US 0f A, that is.
The grid is more efficient than just burning gasoline, and plug-ins are usually at night, when the grid is not being tapped as much, using unused capacity at present that ... already exists.
RE: Your Mileage May Vary
Before people have adopted electric vehicles, automakers had proved first that they are reliable. Automakers need to perfect the batteries and we're done! If batteries (accessories) are ready, then EVs will dominate gas-electric hybrids.
The diesel mpg's in the article are understated unless all you checked were pickups and SUV's. VW diesels have been getting in the 45-50 mpg since the early 80's while getting cleaner in the process. I would get an absolute high if I could find a hybrid diesel that you plug into the wall at night.
The chart has an error.
To run straight vegetable oil requires engine conversion.
Running B100 Bio-Diesel DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY ENGINE MODIFICATIONS.
I have been running B100 in my 1983 Ford F-250 truck for about 3 years, (for my delivery and hauling service, www.biodieselhauling.org) and the only thing I had to do was replace the fuel return lines ($30, 15 minutes) after about 2 years with a more durable type.
It could not fuel this countries gross over use, however there is still more than enough recycled, waste recovered vegetable oil for those few of us who use it today.
I purchase high quality B100 made of 100% local, recycled oil, from a coop in Berkeley.
Actually, US manufacturers make highly efficient cars which are not marketed in the US as well. GM makes a 40mpg full size van which is sold only in China.
Several European manufactures pay US fines every year rather than comply with our CAFE requirements.
Its more about markets than it is about manufacturers.
The Insite got 70mpg, but it didn't sell.
To Marlon: Do not live 250 miles away from work/school. Move.
What about doing Ethanol the way the experts suggested originally using an eco-friendly crop like switch grass. From what I recall this crop has a much better conversion ratio than corn and doesn't even require fertilizer or pesticides for the most part. I guess we just need to get a lobby in order for it to be considered. I'm sure there are other even better crops available that also wouldn't impact food production or encourage deforrestation. We just need to think about what is best for the future instead of what is most profitable now for a very few.
Thank you, Diesel Dave, for pointing out what so many fuel economy comparisons overlook. We consistently have gotten 46-48 mph mpg in our 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, commuting 32 (round trip) miles per day. On a recent long road trip, we got a record 51 mpg. My frustration with fellow Americans is that they have forgotten the concept of walking. I see people in our small town get in the car and drive 3 blocks to the grocery for a gallon of milk. Until we, as a nation, change our habits and until our legislators force the hands of the auto manufacturers, we will stay mired in our consumptive ways. It's not just alternative fuels and new modalities that are the keys; if we don't make major lifestyle changes, we will never truly progress.
I saw an article on Mother Jones a few months ago about some new plant a guy was growing using the wastewater stream from a shrimp farm for irrigation. That plant made switchgrass look inefficient as far as conversion. I can't remember the name - but I agree - there must be other plants we can use. Here in Montana, they are talking about two or three other alternatives to corn and switchgrass as well.
Plus, if we can get GM/Ford to cough up all the designs for all the alternative engines and fuels they've been hiding for years......
Might do a bit of research into the blocks placed in the road of those that would use the alternative technologies. Some blocks are government mandated and others are in place to protect equipment manufactures and installers.
So much for the high quality "investigative" reporting I have come to expect from MoJo. This piece is more appropriately run in the National Enquirer. Try visiting nbb.org or biodiesel.org before writing on this subject again. As Bakari says above, no conversions necessary for BD, only veggie oil. Most, if not all, comercially available biodiesel in Southern California (and likely elsewhere) comes from domestic producers. Not too many U.S. rainforests being cut down to grow soy (which makes up the majority of production). But if you want to include international production, then you also need to include average mileage of diesels available internationally. Many get better than 40 mpg.
For a true comparison of social costs, next time include wars fought and lives lost by fuel type. BD looks even more attractive through this light.
I love this subject, and I love MoJo. Please research the topic more thoroughly next time.
I own a VW Jetta diesel, and average 42 mpg in the city.. close to 50 on the highway. I try to burn a bio-deisel blend..
I realize the chart doesn't have room for all the variables. but it would be nice to see some of the euro technology included.
From reading the other comments, there are some things people should keep in mind:
1) Diesel engines cost more to produce that gasoline engines. (The fuel injectors have MUCH tighter tolerances).
2) The exhaust emission characteristics are different.
a) With Tier 2 requirements, USA requires gas and diesel to meet same exhaust pollution standards (difficult for diesels to meet gasoline standards
b) EU makes allowances for gasoline and diesel engine pollution characteristics.
Ironically, the new standards in 2011 necessitate multiple catalytic converters on diesels to treat exhaust. (Does mining and smelting all that extra ore have no environemtnal impact?) To maintain exhaust temperatures for efficient conversion, extra fuel is injected (this is done since 2007 for particulates; 2011 for NOx limits).
If you notice, VW didn't sell any diesel cars here in 2007 or so far in 2008 because of emission limits, namely particulates/soot and nitrogen oxides.
While you can demonstrate vehicles are technically possible, the cost of a diesel hybrid is prohibitive. Expensive fuel injection system, AND additonal batteries, electric motors, software development, etc., etc. And what about the environmental cost of mining all those heavy metals for batteries? I'm just trying to say people need to look at the big picture.
Whoever didn't write his/her congressman to demand higher fuel taxes (and car registration fees based on engine size) so we could have similar vehicles is to blame to? That's what it takes to create a market for those kinds of vehicles. Expecting companies to make products for which there is no sizeable market is childish.
Citizens in this country need to grow up and accept that they are responsible (as much as car company shortsightedness) for buying fuel hungry SUVs and pickups. Were the sales just a mirage?
Diesel Hybrids
There is another way to do a diesel hybrid that appears to have a lot of advantages: diesel-hydraulic (hydrostatic) drives.
Take a look at: http://www.artemisip.com.
I have driven in the pictured car and it goes like a scalded cat. It gets 40-50% better emissions and fuel economy and is far from optomized - the car can have the same acceleration using a much smaller engine. The heavy and toxic batteries are replaced by an accumulator which is light and cheap.
Hydrostatic drives have been around for a long time - the Artemis system is unique as it uses a very high efficiency digital displacement pump - this is the enabling technology
Running a diesel on vegetable oil takes a little more work if you don't live in hot climates. About $1500 worth of modifications are necessary if you want to drive in say, Detroit in the winter.
Gulley Joe-
(www.shell-gas-cards.eoltt.com)
It seems to me that one area that needs a lot of research is how will we power our airplanes, once we run out of Jet-A fuel? The weight restrictions would seem to eliminate solar-electric power, and all those heavy batteries. I wonder if Algae-grown bio-diesel (as I understand it, diesel is very close to jet fuel could produce the power needed. Even with all the drilling, the world-wide demand for petroleum will eventually dry up all of the wells. May as well get a head start on the problem. Also, petroleum is perhaps much more valuable as a lubricant, and we should be stockpiling reserves for that use.
With the wealth of information out there on alternatives to gas-guzzling cars (and yes, I own one), MJ could do a better job with more research and present more in-depth info.
I ride my bike, walk, and take transit whenever I can. And we've chosen our housing to make the most of non-auto choices. It's not a sacrifice, and it saves us time, money, and weight gain.
Biodiesel DOES NOT require engine conversion. Also, who says we have to 'Burning down a rainforest to produce palm biodiesel' lets use all the waste oil from the fast food restaurants - that should fule us for years!!
Ride a bike instead, it's fun!
Painfully obvious perhaps, but why doesn't this include cycling, walking (or running, for that matter)? The basic problem is the reliance on motor vehicles and especially on cars. Marginal improvements in fuel efficiency or fuel source are cancelled out many times over by the balooning number of miles travelled by car each year.
As Brian alludes above, the only meaningful solution is to cut out or drastically reduce personal use of motor vehicles, through living near to work, schools and shopping, so that you can walk, cycle or run to your destination. Going from a 35mpg sedan to a 45mpg diesel one makes little meaningful difference, especially to the extent the saving encourages additional miles to be travelled. Going from 15,000 miles a year to 500 or zero makes a hell of a difference.
Mandate Flex vehicles,the competition will bring down the price of oil.It will create various business' and help third world countries. Would tobacco make a good fuel?Just a thought.
My 2006 jetta diesel recently got 48.5 mpg on a trip from Chicago to Minneapolis.....630 miles on 12.99 gallons. been driving diesels sence 1996.
I've been reading about Hypercapacitors that store huge charges in a few minutes and then 'leak' the discharge at a controllable voltage for hours. Indications are that it can be scaled up to run an automobile. If this is legit, this could be the oil-economy killer. Yep, you'd have to go nuclear and solar thermal to generate the electricity to make this work but if the point of alternative fuels is to power the engine in a car which then is converted to electricity to run most of the appliances then wouldn't it make sense to bypass the 'middleman' (the fuel burning engine) and go straight electric. It's where everything is going anyhow so shouldn't we be investing a few eggs in this basket?
QUIT EQUATING ALL BIODIESEL WITH RAIN FOREST DESTRUCTION ETC.! That is so irresponsible! We live in Spain, drive a great Opel Astra diesel 2.0 and we get near 60mpg on much cleaner burning bio-diesel that is MADE FROM USED COOKING OIL so the environment wins all around! The cooking oil that used to go down drains and into the sea or into the landfills and wasted is now being collected more and more and made into bio-diesel. It puts out only 13% of the pollution of regular diesel AND IT DOES NOT USE UP FOOD CROPS OR CAUSE THE CUTTING OF ANY FORESTS. By not telling the whole/true story you in the media are making thoughtful people not use a source of fuel that is good for the environment - reducing waste, water and air pollution. Do some research on this!!!!!!!!!!
I distinctly remember posting here a while back about all the complaints listed by others here (low diesel mpg estimates, only needing to convert a diesel for straight veggie oil and cold weather, etc.), yet my comments seem to have disappeared. Where did those comments go? Do they expire? Does the MoJo staff take the first critical comment more personally? Do more research and less disappearing of comments MoJo!
Ok so when I click the email link my comment is gone but when I select from the menu above my earlier comment is there. It still doesn't make sense why the two aren't the same but sorry for the somewhat unfounded accusation.
