If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Diesel-Electric Cars
photon wrote: > group, > > Why are there no diesel-electric cars? > > That is, a powertrain set up like certain locomotovies, where the diesel > portion runs at a constant, efficient rpm, which charges a > electric powertrain which produces the actual movement. > > Is there something about this arrangement that makes it impractical for > passenger automobile usage? At first I thought it could be a weight > issue, but, there are plenty of gas/electric cars now, and even given > the heavier weight of a diesel engine, it doesn't seem huge enough. > > Thoughts? > Obviously the enjoyment of running an engine through its power band > would be gone, but, it should have fuel efficiency gains for certain > applications... I think it is indeed a weight issue. Now why Diesels aren't being used in parallel-hybrid applications like an automotive gasoline/electric hybrid, I can't answer that. nate |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
"photon" > wrote
> Why are there no diesel-electric cars? > > That is, a powertrain set up like certain locomotovies, where the diesel > portion runs at a constant, efficient rpm, which charges a > electric powertrain which produces the actual movement. > > Is there something about this arrangement that makes it impractical for > passenger automobile usage? At first I thought it could be a weight > issue, but, there are plenty of gas/electric cars now, and even given > the heavier weight of a diesel engine, it doesn't seem huge enough. The main problem is that automobiles have to meet (and rightfully so IMO) much stricter emissions standards than large (train, ship, tractor) diesels. (This is changing - now that auto/truck emissions is controlled, large diesels make a higher % of emissions and are worth going after.)\ A diesel-hybrid would make a really good car - WAG would be 75-100mpg. The advent of low-sulfur diesel next year will alleviate most of the problems (with soot), and you should see more diesels that meet the NOx emissions after they figure out soot traps that will go the length of time that EPA specs (IIRC it's 100K miles). Mercedes' E320TDI is very close to meeting the standard, and VW is not far behind. BMW says that it will also be re-introducing diesels in 2007. Then, it's only a matter of time before a diesel-hybrid becomes available (I hope.) Floyd |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
photon wrote:
> group, > > Why are there no diesel-electric cars? There exist diesel-electric trucks. I understand Fedex has some in their fleet. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
On Mon, 18 Jul 2005 12:05:26 -0700, fbloogyudsr , said the following in
rec.autos.driving... > "photon" > wrote > > Why are there no diesel-electric cars? > > > > That is, a powertrain set up like certain locomotovies, where the diesel > > portion runs at a constant, efficient rpm, which charges a > > electric powertrain which produces the actual movement. > > > > Is there something about this arrangement that makes it impractical for > > passenger automobile usage? At first I thought it could be a weight > > issue, but, there are plenty of gas/electric cars now, and even given > > the heavier weight of a diesel engine, it doesn't seem huge enough. > > The main problem is that automobiles have to meet (and rightfully so IMO) > much stricter emissions standards than large (train, ship, tractor) diesels. > (This is changing - now that auto/truck emissions is controlled, large > diesels make a higher % of emissions and are worth going after.)\ > > A diesel-hybrid would make a really good car - WAG would be 75-100mpg. > The advent of low-sulfur diesel next year will alleviate most of the > problems (with soot), and you should see more diesels that meet > the NOx emissions after they figure out soot traps that will go the > length of time that EPA specs (IIRC it's 100K miles). Mercedes' > E320TDI is very close to meeting the standard, and VW is not > far behind. BMW says that it will also be re-introducing diesels > in 2007. > > Then, it's only a matter of time before a diesel-hybrid becomes > available (I hope.) If the MPG estimate you have pans out (even the low side, 75MPG, would be great) the sooner the technology for Diesel hybrids can be perfected and put on the market, the better. -- Paul Self-appointed unofficial overseer of kooks and trolls in rec.autos.driving. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
"223rem" > wrote in message m... > photon wrote: >> group, >> >> Why are there no diesel-electric cars? > > There exist diesel-electric trucks. I understand > Fedex has some in their fleet. see http://www.eaton.com/NASApp/cs/Conte...=1081448830672 Ed |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
C. E. White wrote:
> "223rem" > wrote in message > m... > >>photon wrote: >> >>>group, >>> >>>Why are there no diesel-electric cars? >> >>There exist diesel-electric trucks. I understand >>Fedex has some in their fleet. > > > see > http://www.eaton.com/NASApp/cs/Conte...=1081448830672 > Diesel electric engines would be very appropriate for ships, but most ships use diesels. With the increase in price of oil, I am sure diesel electric marine engines will become widespread. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
"223rem" > wrote
> C. E. White wrote: >> see >> http://www.eaton.com/NASApp/cs/Conte...=1081448830672 >> > > Diesel electric engines would be very appropriate for ships, but most > ships use diesels. With the increase in price of oil, I am sure diesel > electric marine engines will become widespread. AFAIK, almost all the WA State ferries are diesel-electric, very similar to locomotives. I believe that they've even shifted to low sulfur fuel. See: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/your_wsf/our_fleet. Floyd |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
leaf springs | [email protected] | Corvette | 3 | March 10th 05 10:42 PM |
Hybrid car cost of ownership | Tom Del Rosso | Technology | 47 | March 10th 05 12:32 AM |
European Cars Least Reliable | Richard Schulman | VW water cooled | 3 | November 11th 04 09:41 AM |
Dream Cars, The Best Cars in the World | Rare Old Things | Antique cars | 0 | February 14th 04 04:38 AM |
Hybird cars for SUV | aniram | General | 4 | February 5th 04 07:55 PM |