Posts Tagged Diesel
A Race Car made of Potatoes –Powered by Vegetable Oil & Chocolate!
Posted by admin in General News on December 16th, 2009
Nascar and Formula 1 racing aren’t exactly what you think of when you think of Green Cars. Now “green” is moving into the racing world with the development of the Worldfirst Formula 3 racing car designed and made from sustainable and renewable materials, putting the world first by effectively managing the planet’s resources.
Warwick Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre (WIMRC), part of Warwick University in the UK, is the developer attempting to prove to the auto industry that it is possible to build a competitive racing car using environmentally sustainable components. Read the rest of this entry »
Special Guest Blog by:: “Bio Lyle” Rudensey
Posted by admin in General News on December 2nd, 2009
So you want to make your own biodiesel…
I knew I was hooked when I took my first sip of a liquid I realized could power a car, was clean enough to drink, and that I could make myself for less than a dollar a gallon. This was also back in ’03, when the Iraq war was starting, and I found myself getting excited about the idea of making my own fuel as one thing I could do to remove myself from supporting the petroleum economy. Making your own fuel is revolutionary in the same way as getting your food from local farms; in both cases you’re relying on local sources instead of mega-corporations. It’s even more fun when you get together with others and form a fuel-making coop with everyone gathering oil from local restaurants, as I did three years ago with the Dirty Hands Biodiesel Coop. Whatever your motivation, whether you are doing it by yourself or with others, making your own biodiesel fuel can be a rewarding activity. But there are some things to think about. Read the rest of this entry »
Green Guise: Volkswagen turns its back on biodiesel
Posted by Jeffrey in Green Guise on August 3rd, 2009
We’re keen on some of the new clean diesel technology that’s making its way into the United States: great performance, great fuel efficiency, and the cleanest diesel emissions ever. What we’re not keen on is what is happening with new diesels and biodiesel compatibility. More accurately, biodiesel incompatibility.
Volkswagen TDIs used to be the best choice for those wanting to cut their emissions with biodiesel. After VW took a break with diesels for the 2007 due to changing EPA rules, they came back with a shocker: biodiesel beyond B5 is a no-go.
Sure, the new “Clean Diesel” Volkswagens have much cleaner diesel emissions than their previous generation counterparts. But why would Volkswagen shy away from cutting emissions even more by keeping their TDIs as biodiesel-compatible as possible?
One of our experts, Tony Cutler, here at the Green Car Company pointed out that, “The newer 2008+ diesels use a process called late post-injection. This process involves injecting a small amount of fuel into the engine post-combustion. With regular petrol diesel this isn’t an issue, because it has a lower flashpoint than Biodiesel. A higher flashpoint however, means a little bit of Biodiesel may still be left leading to oil dilution.” There is an in-depth technological explanation why biodiesel above B5 is not good for the new TDI engine, but it’s shocking that VW would settle on a technology that limits the consumer’s ability to be as Green as possible.
Tony added, “If Volkswagen implemented a process called “exhaust stream” injection, rather than using late post-injection it would accomplish the same goal (reducing emissions) but would also allow for the use of Biodiesel without the damaging effects.”
Back on the Volkswagen website, they have a fancy page with a carbon offset counter on it. If they had the foresight to keep biodiesel running in their engines, then perhaps their offset counter wouldn’t seem like a bad joke.
Ultimately, if you want to run biodiesel, don’t buy a new VW TDI. In fact, don’t buy any of the new diesels that are out now, which all seem to rely on the same technology. Find yourself a 2006 or older TDI because the “2009 Green Car of the Year” doesn’t seem to be as green as it should be.
Most importantly, take a few moments to visit www.SaveBiodiesel.org to learn more about the issue and to sign their petition.
Auto manufacturers are gearing up to get more diesels on American roads, but if they’re going to restrict our ability to use the biodiesel we want, then perhaps they shouldn’t waste our time.
Diesel: Curent Vehicle Options and Upcoming Models
Posted by Jeffrey in Diesel, Green Cars on June 26th, 2009
This is the last post of a three-part diesel series. Part one talked about why diesel is more expensive than gasoline. Part two discussed why diesel consumer vehicles are relatively rare in the United States.
Diesel is a great option for consumers looking for a new car, but what exactly is out there? Since only about 3% of consumer vehicles are diesel-powered, it’s not a surprise if you can’t name too many diesel cars. Don’t fret! Virtually every manufacturer has a diesel model in the works, and some are even selling them now. So, let’s get to it, starting with what is being sold now in the United States. It’s also worth mentioning that there are tax credits available for several of these vehicles!
(Model, starting price, city/hwy mpg from fueleconomy.gov)
- Volkswagen Clean Diesel TDI
- Jetta Sedan, $22,270, 30/41 mpg
- Jetta SportWagen, $23,870, 30/41 mpg
- Touareg 2 SUV, $42,800, 17/25 mpg
- Audi
- Q7 TDI, $50,900, 17/25 mpg
- Mercedes-Benz
- R32 BlueTEC Crossover, $49,150, 18/24 mpg
- E320 BlueTEC Sedan, $52,900, 23/32 mpg
- ML320 BlueTEC SUV, $48,600, 18/24 mpg
- BMW
- 335d Sedan, $43,900, 23/36 mpg
- X5 xDrive35d SUV, $51,200, 19/26
So, those are your current new car diesel options. Volkswagen is leading the pack, but they’ve been doing that with diesels for a long time now. The other available diesels are, shall we say, more luxurious. The least expensive non-VW has a starting price tag of more than double the Jetta! Luckily, many other manufacturers have diesel models in the works that will be much more affordable! So, what diesel options will be coming to America? None of these are guaranteed, but if current diesels start performing well, expect to see some, if not all, of the following models.
- Acura TSX Sedan, but is currently facing an “indefinite” delay. Maybe for 2010, but our fingers are crossed.
- Kia Borrego SUV. This one maybe currently shelved as well.
- Subaru Impreza and Forester.
- Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD. This may actually be currently available, but the site is vague, and I’ve heard very little about it.
- Nissan Maxima Sedan. Maybe for 2010.
Diesel Vehicles: Why is America afraid of them?
Posted by Jeffrey in Diesel, Green Cars on June 25th, 2009
This is part two of a three-part series on diesel in the United States. Yesterday, we talked about why diesel prices are so high. Tomorrow, we’ll look at what diesel options are coming soon to America.
Why are diesel automobiles less common in the United States than in virtually every other country in the world? Is it because the United States has stricter emissions requirements? If that’s what you think the reason is, then you’ll be surprised. The European Union countries have nearly the same automobile emissions laws when it comes to diesel-powered vehicles. So, if 40% of the vehicles sold in England and 74% of the vehicles sold in France are diesel, then why don’t we have something comparable in the United States?
Diesel has a bad reputation. That’s the biggest issue.
To get an idea what the diesel reputation is, take a look at Audi’s new ad campaign for their diesel vehicles. It’s all about countering diesel’s old reputation: “Diesel: it’s no longer a dirty word.” Audi attempts to confront some misconceptions about diesels, including the assumptions that they are nosy, dirty, sluggish, and slow. This is all untrue, of course.
Regardless of what the truth is diesel is still associated with big semi trucks spewing exhaust and those old, nasty diesels from decades ago. There are several groups looking to re-educate consumers, such as Clean Diesel Delivers. Their site goes over all the diesel myths in more detail than the Audi ad campaign.
With the proliferation of ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD), diesel vehicles are as clean as or cleaner than gasoline vehicles. And because diesel has more energy than gasoline per volume, fuel efficiency is much better, up to 35% better in fact. One concern of diesels is that they have higher NOx (smog-forming) emissions. The new diesel vehicles have technology that works in conjunction with the ULSD to reduce these emissions. Mercedes’ BlueTec is a good example. So are the new Volkswagen TDIs.
However, in an attempt to jump start the diesel vehicle market in the United States, manufacturers are focusing heavily on the fact that diesel vehicles can have top-notch performance. Audi points out that their diesel race car won the Le Mans race. Audi is currently selling the Q7 TDI, which oozes luxury, safety, and a 0-60 of 8.5 seconds. Then there’s the BMW 335d, with 265 horsepower and 36 mpg. Diesel is indeed no longer old technology.
Put the new diesel technology in a smaller, more economical car and you might get something like the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic. The only reason this car won’t make it to the U.S. has nothing to do with emissions laws.
Ultimately, diesel prices could scare consumers away from switching to a diesel vehicle. Even with the additional cost of diesel, consumers need to not only be educated on the benefits of diesel, such as more torque, power, engine life, and fuel efficiency, but they also need to be assured that the dirty old days of clunky, noisy, and smelly diesels are over. For more environmentally-oriented individuals, the benefit of being able to run biodiesel is an enormous incentive, but it’s unclear if the up-and-coming diesels will be as biodiesel-compatible as we would like.
So, is it time for you to consider a diesel?
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