Hybrid or Diesel Future? - Good Article On America's Driving Future
 

http://www.detnews.com/2005/insiders...uto-361111.htm

great article about how diesel powered vehicles could become a U.S. favorite over the "hybrid" fad currently going on.

Not that all Hybrids will go away. For the rotary, the hybrid is a nice solution, since, our engine is already lighter, and the hybrid give us the extra torque and economy with all the fun of the rotary.

This article is more about the future of generic people movers (think Camry/Accord).

Clean diesel is really a great way to power cars.

I'd still rather divorce from petroleum altogether. It'll have to happen eventually, might as well get started now.

Are there any diesel hybrids?

I can't see hybrids catching on either. Not once people realize their fuel savings are offset by higher monthly payments. Unless....

A) the savings of charging your hybrid at home continues as gas goes higher;
B) battery technologies improve radically, and hybrids are just a stopgap measure for a decade or so while gas stations install chargers.

Speaking of which...what's this?
(click on "background")

So an EV1 with a 132 lb. battery would have about 100-200 miles extra range compared to my RX-8. Not to mention a motor and power source that would provide reliable service (20~30 years estimated for the batteries) from now until I'm just about to retire. Holy crap.

hybrid diesels are coming, you'll see them in europe first, where its more prevelant, and in commerical trucks (real heavy ones). In fact, international is leasing some heavy trucks to customers that are hybrid free of charge, to test there drivetrains. a hybrid diesel would be the ideal drivetrain, but diesel engines are already more expensive, so cost is sorta the issue. If everyone had diesels, it wouldn't be a cost issue, but most engines are not.