1/2 ton diesel anyone? looks like it might be a reality before long...

lostcause · Jun 13, 2012

Renze said:
I bet its getting interesting... but i doubt propane is the final solution: It increases the combustion temperature, which lowers soot emission but increases the need for either EGR or DEF....

sadly, people are herd animals - particularly here. if enough there is enough media coverage to say that propane, natural gas (or whatever flavor of the the month is) will be cheaper than what they are paying now, then they will buy it hook line and sinker. this can, and probably will be, accomplished by whoever can profit from it. in the end we'll pay more and get less out of it. ten years later we'll realize we were hoodwinked. it doesn't have anything to do with what is better or cheaper - just how much money can be made from it.

Todd_C · Jun 13, 2012

buickanddeere said:
Kind of a catch 22 situation. The heavier the fuel, with more carbon, the more energy/mileage per lb of fuel. Problem is lighter fuels burn cleaner with hydrogen, natural gas, propane, alcohol, gasoline, Jet A-1 , light diesel such as #2 on through to #6 in that order. It's just so much more difficult to burn the long chain hydrocarbons as clean as the short chains. Looks like LP and direct injectiocurrents currently are affordable,run clean and use a portable fuel source. Compressed natural gas uses heavy tanks, a lot of electricity to compress and suffers short range. If there were more nuclear Plants , of peak steam could be used to convert natural gas into the alcohol group. N

I just spent two weeks in Europe and 95% of all the vehicles on the road were diesel. My brother-in-law has a very nice company BMW that has a diesel. He said the gasoline version would cost the company almost 8K a year in extra taxes. The last time I saw a fuel rating chart in Diesel Power the federal government listed diesel as the most efficient means for transportation. I have had several diesel and gasoline pickups so I see both sides of the argument. If my memory serves me correct diesel produces 20-30% more energy when compared to gasoline. I believe the US is going backward on our approach to requiring the emission controls on diesels. Should we increase the emission systems that take away the advantages and use more fuel or should we allow more pollutants into the air but use less fuel. Lp and hybrid/electric technology just has not progressed enough to provide the same amount of energy as gasoline or diesel. My friend has a TDI Jetta that gets 50+mpg on the interstate, has power to pass other vehicles, and it doesn't look like a coffin on wheels like the Smart Car or the Prius. Technology will eventually catch up to our transportation needs but I don't see any of the other fuels providing the energy of diesel for the near future. I believe we will see more diesel options in the future. The major hurdle in the US is that most of our refineries are established to produce gasoline and not diesel.

xtn · Jun 13, 2012

clemsonfor said:
Im no engineer and am not looking to start an argument, but it SHOULD NOT take 300+ HP to overcome roling resistance and air and friction etc? If this was the case it would be like the guy below your post posting about big trucks. Or in the case of my olp pickup, i think it had 175 HP when it was new from the factory. How can it actually drive itself and let alone pull a 5000lb load if it takes 300hp to move itself?

Pretty sure he said, "If it requires...." I think he was just making the point with an arbitrarily picked number, not actually saying that it takes 300hp to cruise down the highway.

xtn

rsewill · Jun 13, 2012

Todd_C said:
I just spent two weeks in Europe and 95% of all the vehicles on the road were diesel. My brother-in-law has a very nice company BMW that has a diesel. He said the gasoline version would cost the company almost 8K a year in extra taxes. The last time I saw a fuel rating chart in Diesel Power the federal government listed diesel as the most efficient means for transportation. I have had several diesel and gasoline pickups so I see both sides of the argument. If my memory serves me correct diesel produces 20-30% more energy when compared to gasoline. I believe the US is going backward on our approach to requiring the emission controls on diesels. Should we increase the emission systems that take away the advantages and use more fuel or should we allow more pollutants into the air but use less fuel. Lp and hybrid/electric technology just has not progressed enough to provide the same amount of energy as gasoline or diesel. My friend has a TDI Jetta that gets 50+mpg on the interstate, has power to pass other vehicles, and it doesn't look like a coffin on wheels like the Smart Car or the Prius. Technology will eventually catch up to our transportation needs but I don't see any of the other fuels providing the energy of diesel for the near future. I believe we will see more diesel options in the future. The major hurdle in the US is that most of our refineries are established to produce gasoline and not diesel.

Yes, yes, and yes. And yes.

buickanddeere · Jun 14, 2012

rsewill said:
Yes, yes, and yes. And yes.

I would agree 100% if diesels were Tier II and if diesel cost 75% of gasoline price. Sad to say that was all a decade ago and isn't coming back. Their is steady talk by non engineers of break throughs in battery technology, sorry it is 't going to happen. Due to the laws of physics and chemistry. Batteries will always be very heavy,large and $$$ for the small amount of energy they store. Primary practical market for hybrids would be for City and school buses, mail delivery vehicles and such to utilize regenerative braking.

D7E · Jun 14, 2012

Renze said:
Actually Ford does have some diesels in Europe, but they dont have any technology at all... They built a 1.8 TD (which really couldnt hold a candle against VW, Merc or Peugeot diesels) untill 2000 or so
the Land Rover diesel was a piece of junk

The UK literally ran on 1.8 ford diesels in the late 80's / 90's and landrover TD4 wonderful engines .

RollingsFarms · Jun 14, 2012

Looks like Dodge is already testing them! GM might be holding a few cards up their sleeves as well:licking:

Will GM LD Trucks Have a Diesel Option? - PickupTrucks.com News

WilliamBos · Jun 14, 2012

RollingsFarms said:
Looks like Dodge is already testing them! GM might be holding a few cards up their sleeves as well:licking:

Will GM LD Trucks Have a Diesel Option? - PickupTrucks.com News

Build it PLEASE!

Todd_C · Jun 14, 2012

buickanddeere said:
I would agree 100% if diesels were Tier II and if diesel cost 75% of gasoline price. Sad to say that was all a decade ago and isn't coming back. Their is steady talk by non engineers of break throughs in battery technology, sorry it is 't going to happen. Due to the laws of physics and chemistry. Batteries will always be very heavy,large and $$$ for the small amount of energy they store. Primary practical market for hybrids would be for City and school buses, mail delivery vehicles and such to utilize regenerative braking.

I am willing to pay more for diesel if the MPG is there. My buddy spends about $5 more to fill the TDI Jetta tank but it far exceeds the MPG of the gasoline Jetta. I just love how my diesel pickup chugs up hills without ever dropping a gear. I'm not brand loyal but I just love the quietness of my Ford 6.7 diesel. We are paying more now for diesel because of the process to make USLD.