New Honda Gets 62 MPG. And It’s Not A Hybrid.
While the world has been heaping praise upon hybrid technology for its mileage-boosting properties, a forgotten and alienated alternative has quietly been evolving with even more impressive green numbers. I’m speaking of diesel engines, of course, which, up until a few years ago, were nary on the radar of American consumers. Early diesel engines in the U.S. were dirty, loud, and generally associated with some pretty terrible cars. Buried under environmental regulations and poor sales, they faded away to only a handful of brands.
Today, the diesel engine has roared back to life as a versatile, efficient, and green alternative to standard petrol cars. Automakers have taken notice, and diesel options for upcoming models are being included in roadmaps. Of particular interest, earlier this month Honda showed off an Accord that gets 62.8 miles per gallon with its diesel engine. This is right up there with the best current hybrids have to offer — but with even more power. Emissions ratings are about the same, but the diesel Accord picks up points by burning fuel even cleaner when run on biodiesel. Honda expects to release the diesel edition as part of its 2010 model lineup.
Expect additional diesel cars around 2010 from Audi, Saab, BMW, Mini Cooper, and hopefully, Hummer.
via CNET
Tags: alternative transportation, Automobiles, diesel, eco, emissions, green, hybrid, transportation
July 31st, 2007 at 11:54 am
My neighbor has a diesel Jetta and raves about the gas mileage he gets with it. Anyone know if there are any diesel SUVs out there that get good mileage? With two kids, two dogs, and a whole lot of stuff to haul around, sometimes you just need more space than an Accord or a Jetta.
-Fresh Daily Eco
July 31st, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Mike
Ask yourself why something like 43% of Europe’s passenger car market is diesel and America’s is nearly non-existent? Even though diesel-powered passenger cars have almost always out-mileaged their gasoline-based brethren, Americans have historically avoided diesel. I agree that it’s a viable alternative, but for some reason we Americans avoid it. Maybe it has something to do with the higher initial cost.
If Hummer develops a diesel, look for it to be geared towards better towing not exclusively for better fuel economy. And since you mentioned Saab, Google “Saab Variable Compression” and ask why GM squashed the idea shortly after acquiring the label. Here’s something to start with:
http://www.saabnet.com/tsn/press/000318.html
Jeff
It may not be considered “green” at 20 mpg, but my Chevrolet crew-cab pick-up with GM’s smallest V8 and a hard bed cover makes a great family vehicle.
July 31st, 2007 at 5:21 pm
I am always the dork who doesn’t know the “why” behind the “what”. So where does diesel come from? Why is it better for the environment than standard fuel?
[Hey, I JUST learned not too long ago that PLASTIC comes from fuel! But I'm getting there!]
July 31st, 2007 at 7:25 pm
Diesel comes from oil. Without getting too technical, those tall distillation columns at refineries are used to separate the various by-products that result from “cracking” crude. By-products include oil, diesel, kerosene, naptha, gasoline, coke, etc. Historically diesel has been considered less-than-green because of a high sulphur content. Low-sulphur diesel became the law of the land earlier this year and it is extremely clean (even cleaner than biodiesel). You may have noticed a sudden increase in its cost around that time.
Biodiesel is derived from plants. It is made in a manner similar to that used to produce vegetable cooking oils. In fact, most diesel engines can burn cooking oil but that’s not very cost efficient; unless you can persuade fast food restuarants to let you have their spent oils.
Diesel fuel is not necessarily better than gasoline (standard fuel). Diesel does pack a little more punch than an equal measure of gasoline, which is why you see it used in heavy equipment more often than gasoline. That is also why engines that utilize diesel tend to be made from heavier components and it also explains why they generally cost more. Diesel is also more stable than gasoline as it takes more than just a spark to set it ablaze. A diesel engine works a little differently than a gasoline engine and is more difficult for a shade-tree mechanic to repair. Neither engine has the ability to utilize both fuels efficiently.
Confused? There’s much, much more to learn.
August 1st, 2007 at 2:17 am
Bobby:
A big reason that diesels exploded in many European countries while they did not in the US has to do with taxes and emissions regulations that historically favored diesels.
1) In many European countries, gasoline was and is heavily taxed, resulting in prices that are slightly higher for gasoline than diesel. Given that diesels are 25-40 percent more efficient than their gasoline counterparts, especially in small vehicles, diesels were significantly more attractive.
2) Many countries taxed engines based on displacement. I believe that anything over 2.9 liters was heavily taxed. Since most Europeans drive smaller cars, and understand that torque, not horsepower is what makes an engine feel good off the line, small, refined diesels became acceptible to customers.
3) Simultaneously, emission standards in many European countries were less stringent on NOx and particulate emissions (a weakness of diesels) and more focused on CO emissions, making diesel engine development more attractive to OEMS.
4) Lastly, diesel fuel in most European countries is regulated to have lower sulfer content than was required in the US, making it easier for diesel engines to meet emission standards.
As turbo-diesel technology has evolved, today’s turbo-diesels are extremely quiet, refined and a pleasure to drive.
In the US, emission standards have been more stringent, especially in the California states, while fuel has had a much higher sulfer content. Additionally, the diesel engines that surfaced in the late 70’s in response to the oil embargos did not do much to convince American consumers.
However, look at any heavy duty diesel truck today, like a Silverado with a Duramax, and the engines are extremely powerful, clean and quiet.
And while the US emission standards today, and in 2010 are the most stringent in the world, most OEMs have announced plans to introduce diesels into the US market, though they will require significant aftertreatment devices. And yes, even Hummer has announced plans for a clean diesel.
August 1st, 2007 at 2:58 pm
So, basically the popularity of diesel’s in Europe is the result of government regulations that pushed consumers and manufacturers in that direction. Thanks for the information, Nick R.
Will not the Hummer’s diesel be the Duramax version (a strong towing, moderate mileage work horse)? And even though the newer turbo-diesels in Europe are a marked improvement, do you think that Americans will come to love the diesel “mini-cars” that are sold in Europe? I am skeptical.
August 1st, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Well, the release of low sulfur diesel has caused them to pull the B99 biodiesel from the gas stations in CA.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:09 am
Real news would be when will it be aviable in the US.
The Accord that gets 62.8 miles per gallon with its diesel engine news came out in Aprial 2007
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:15 am
I drive a 94 Honda Civic VX, which I purchased new because it was listed as getting 50mpg. It still gets very close to that, *if* I go the 55mph or lower. This is regular gasoline, not diesel. Knock on wood, this car has never broken down or had any maintenance issues, although I did have to replace one of the brake shoes about 5 years ago.
If this technology existed 13 years ago, why isn’t is more common now? Why doesn’t Honda re-issue this model? It did cost about $2000 more than the other Civics at the time, but I’ll bet a lot more people are willing to pay the premium today…
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:48 am
Hi Bobby B. correct that diesel is one of the components of crude oil separated by distillation - that is, crude oil is made of many compounds with different vaporisation temperatures, which is used to separate them in the distillation column. but ‘cracking’ is a different process. it’s about splitting up the actual molecule of one type of oil (like diesel, which has longer carbon chains) into another (like petrol, with shorter carbon chain).