I sometimes wonder whether a new generation of steam engines that can run on anything, e.g. wood chips, will ever make a comeback.
On Nov 8, 2007 11:08 AM, LarryT <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I'm thinking perhaps there needs to be 2 solutions - one for mostly longer > distances - say over 50 miles at a time - which a diesel would be ideal. > > For short commutes, say 20 mi or less - an electric might work - altho a > diesel is very effieient and the technology is close to perfect without the > negatives of recharging times & battery manufacture and disposal. > > I guess that's the thinking behind hybrids? But isn't there a penalty to > hybrids which must drag all that electrical stuff around when it isn;t > needed or being used? (like long trips) > > OK, that's the solution - start building diesels of all sizes and start > producing diesel fuel like crazy. > ;-) > > OK, what's the next problem? world hunger? > > Larry T (67 MGB, 74 911, 78 240D, 91 300D) > www.youroil.net for Oil Analysis and Weber Parts > Test Results http://members.rennlist.com/oil > PORSCHE POSTERS! youroil.net > Weber Carb Info http://members.rennlist.com/webercarbs > . > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Rich Thomas" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "Mercedes Discussion List" <mercedes@okiebenz.com> > Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2007 9:51 AM > Subject: Re: [MBZ] Diesels Vs Hybrids > > > > >I think the issue with diesel hybrids is that the diesel engine is even > > more expensive than a gasser, which drives up the cost of the package > > even higher, and the economics work even worse. The Prius is not > > economically cost-effective compared to a straight gasser, even with the > > deep discounts offered by the manufacturer, and the overall economics > > when considering the manufacturing of all the bits (metals, plastics, > > battery, etc.) and life-cycle costs (battery) are even less attractive. > > A straight new-tech diesel is probably best overall given fuel > > efficiency and emissions (but I have not done or seen the analysis). > > > > A friend of mine (rather, his wife) is considering a new vehicle to > > replace her Acura MDX (nothing wrong with it, but wives often get a bit > > wobbly with something over 3 or 4 yr old because they are "getting old" > > and might "have problems"). She is also considering enviro aspects, so > > I suggested a diesel Benz which could use some biodiesel mix that she > > could "feel" good about (an old one using veggie diesel would not fit > > her interests), and the emissions are reasonable with the new tech. So > > they looked at the M, but then she got thinking that the manufacturing > > aspects of all the plastics, metal, etc. offset any enviro benefits > > (whatever they might be, if any) of a new diesel v. her already > > manufactured car. Now I have no idea what that whole balance might be, > > but that "feeling" sorta makes sense I guess. > > > > A lot of that is about "feelings" and not anything rational, but some > > people are open to rationality if it is simply rational. > > > > --R > > > > Chris Lane wrote: > >> I would imagine that a diesel hybrid would be the smartest way to go, at > >> least using currently available technology. I know that there are some > >> out > >> there, at least in the prototype phase, but I can't see any real obstacle > >> for them. Thinking in terms of the last Golf TDI which got what 45mpg? > >> If > >> you were to run a hybrid system similar to the one in the old Honda > >> Insight > >> it seems to me like you could have a really efficient and useful car. My > >> brother has an Insight, and for him it works, of course he's single with > >> no > >> kids or pets, and has lived in the same place forever. He can actually > >> get > >> close to 70mpg out of it. > >> > >> On 11/8/07, Rich Thomas <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> > >>> Then there is the whole battery nastiness issue -- manufacturing and > >>> disposal -- which is not negligible, but it is removed from view so you > >>> can "feel" better about driving the Prius. And how one "feels" about > >>> the issue is the most important aspect! > >>> > >>> --R > >>> > >>> LarryT wrote: > >>> > >>>> This was in a industry magazine I get called "Foriegn Car Parts & > >>>> Accessories" > >>>> A poll was conducted in UK recently evaluating peoples understanding of > >>>> emissions and modern diesels. 90% did not rate the current diesel > >>>> technology on a favorable standing with hybrids. The example used was > >>>> > >>> the > >>> > >>>> Mini D and the Prius - both have very nearly equal emission levels. > >>>> > >>>> Larry T (67 MGB, 74 911, 78 240D, 91 300D) > >>>> www.youroil.net for Oil Analysis and Weber Parts > >>>> Test Results http://members.rennlist.com/oil > >>>> PORSCHE POSTERS! youroil.net > >>>> Weber Carb Info http://members.rennlist.com/webercarbs > >>>> . > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> _______________________________________ > >>>> http://www.okiebenz.com > >>>> For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ > >>>> For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >>>> > >>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > >>>> http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> > >>> _______________________________________ > >>> http://www.okiebenz.com > >>> For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ > >>> For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >>> > >>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > >>> http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > >>> > >>> > >> _______________________________________ > >> http://www.okiebenz.com > >> For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ > >> For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >> > >> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > >> http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > >> > >> > >> > >> > > _______________________________________ > > http://www.okiebenz.com > > For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ > > For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > > http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > > > > > > -- > > No virus found in this incoming message. > > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > > Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.25/1118 - Release Date: > > 11/8/2007 9:29 AM > > > > > > > _______________________________________ > > http://www.okiebenz.com > For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ > For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
