robert_seg
I love my 2000 VW Jetta, but I wish it was a hybrid to save gas $$. Anybody know if and when VW plans to sell a hybrid version in the U.S.?
Answer
VW already has a gas-electric hybrid, but unfortunately, it's for the high end. The electric motors are used in conjunction with their 4.2L V8 engine currently in the Audi A8 in Europe, and is slated to be dropped into the VW Toureg/Audi Q7.
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005/09/audi_debuts_con.html
They are also hoping to make a big return with diesels in the U.S in the near future. Unfortunately, the big problem VW and other manufacturers are having is that most diesel engines do not pass the U.S. Emissions laws. This is not the fault of the engines. Diesel fuel in the United States is not refined enough to remove a lot of the impurities, so no matter how well your engines run, they still put out a lot of "particulates".
I don't know how many of you remember when "Regular" gas used to have Lead in it (about 25 years ago?) and laws were passed to make oil companies remove it. Recently the U.S. did the same thing for diesel and passed laws that require diesel fuel be cleaner. It should be taking place in the next couple of years, so look for diesel engines to become a lot more popular with not just VW.
Another technology VW is having success with in Europe is the "Twin-charger" engines.
http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/new_cars/technology_glossary/TSI
It's a small 4 cylinder gas engine with a supercharger AND a turbocharger on it. The supercharger helps it make more power at the bottom end (where turbos are lacking) and the turbo kicks in at higher RPMs (where turbos work better).
Supposedly these engines are winning a lot of awards for power and fuel efficiency overseas, but there is no official word from VW if they are coming to the States .
VW already has a gas-electric hybrid, but unfortunately, it's for the high end. The electric motors are used in conjunction with their 4.2L V8 engine currently in the Audi A8 in Europe, and is slated to be dropped into the VW Toureg/Audi Q7.
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005/09/audi_debuts_con.html
They are also hoping to make a big return with diesels in the U.S in the near future. Unfortunately, the big problem VW and other manufacturers are having is that most diesel engines do not pass the U.S. Emissions laws. This is not the fault of the engines. Diesel fuel in the United States is not refined enough to remove a lot of the impurities, so no matter how well your engines run, they still put out a lot of "particulates".
I don't know how many of you remember when "Regular" gas used to have Lead in it (about 25 years ago?) and laws were passed to make oil companies remove it. Recently the U.S. did the same thing for diesel and passed laws that require diesel fuel be cleaner. It should be taking place in the next couple of years, so look for diesel engines to become a lot more popular with not just VW.
Another technology VW is having success with in Europe is the "Twin-charger" engines.
http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/new_cars/technology_glossary/TSI
It's a small 4 cylinder gas engine with a supercharger AND a turbocharger on it. The supercharger helps it make more power at the bottom end (where turbos are lacking) and the turbo kicks in at higher RPMs (where turbos work better).
Supposedly these engines are winning a lot of awards for power and fuel efficiency overseas, but there is no official word from VW if they are coming to the States .
What is the most economical hybrid or electric car?
Trae20T
Over 5 or so years of ownership
Answer
There are some places like the state of Utah in the US where laws mandate that gas companies have to make the fuel available to car owners. This has caused a local industry to convert vehicles to natural gas and made those vehicles very economical there.
Other places like London have put a congestion pricing plan into effect and make an exception for electric vehicles. Electric vehicles also don't have to pay for parking. This makes ownership of electric vehicles there very economical and has spawned a local industry in electric vehicle sales and conversions.
Some would further say that the true price of oil should be much higher than it is at this time. Tax breaks, subsidies, and wavers keep the price to consumers artificially low. Local laws can make a difference in the economics of vehicles. A vehicle that is economical in one area may not necessarily be so elsewhere.
In general however you could determine your costs per mile by adding up the moving costs like fuel with your fixed costs like insurance, maintenance, repairs. To be fair you would also have to add in the initial cost of the vehicle and subtract its value at the end of such a period. Car magazines often do this in reviewing older vehicles. Here is a list of the 10 most economical cars to buy in the UK: http://hubpages.com/hub/Top-10-Most-Economical-Cars There is not much analysis and the two hybrids are on the bottom of the chart below diesels.
They are all small cars and because lighter and smaller cars will be more economical such cost is sometimes considered for different classes of vehicles. The smart for 2 car is not only one of the smallest. It may be one of the most economical in each of its 3 configurations: http://www.greatcarstv.com/features/world-s-most-economical-car-is-not-available-in-us.html It also appears near the top of this list of fuel efficient cars: http://www.thesupercars.org/ford/most-fuel-efficient-cars/
But soon the aerodynamic design of the Aptera may push it to be the most economical to operate. Maintenance, repairs, and initial cost however may all be cheaper with other electric vehicles like neighborhood electric vehicles NEV: http://greenlivingideas.com/topics/alt-fuels-transportation/neighborhood-electric-vehicles/nevs-on-the-urban-street-scene Eventually when battery tech settles on and affordable and long lasting battery with proven performance it will be difficult for a ICE powered, hydrogen fuel cell or hybrid electric car to match the cheap operation and maintenance of an electric vehicle.
There are some places like the state of Utah in the US where laws mandate that gas companies have to make the fuel available to car owners. This has caused a local industry to convert vehicles to natural gas and made those vehicles very economical there.
Other places like London have put a congestion pricing plan into effect and make an exception for electric vehicles. Electric vehicles also don't have to pay for parking. This makes ownership of electric vehicles there very economical and has spawned a local industry in electric vehicle sales and conversions.
Some would further say that the true price of oil should be much higher than it is at this time. Tax breaks, subsidies, and wavers keep the price to consumers artificially low. Local laws can make a difference in the economics of vehicles. A vehicle that is economical in one area may not necessarily be so elsewhere.
In general however you could determine your costs per mile by adding up the moving costs like fuel with your fixed costs like insurance, maintenance, repairs. To be fair you would also have to add in the initial cost of the vehicle and subtract its value at the end of such a period. Car magazines often do this in reviewing older vehicles. Here is a list of the 10 most economical cars to buy in the UK: http://hubpages.com/hub/Top-10-Most-Economical-Cars There is not much analysis and the two hybrids are on the bottom of the chart below diesels.
They are all small cars and because lighter and smaller cars will be more economical such cost is sometimes considered for different classes of vehicles. The smart for 2 car is not only one of the smallest. It may be one of the most economical in each of its 3 configurations: http://www.greatcarstv.com/features/world-s-most-economical-car-is-not-available-in-us.html It also appears near the top of this list of fuel efficient cars: http://www.thesupercars.org/ford/most-fuel-efficient-cars/
But soon the aerodynamic design of the Aptera may push it to be the most economical to operate. Maintenance, repairs, and initial cost however may all be cheaper with other electric vehicles like neighborhood electric vehicles NEV: http://greenlivingideas.com/topics/alt-fuels-transportation/neighborhood-electric-vehicles/nevs-on-the-urban-street-scene Eventually when battery tech settles on and affordable and long lasting battery with proven performance it will be difficult for a ICE powered, hydrogen fuel cell or hybrid electric car to match the cheap operation and maintenance of an electric vehicle.
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Title Post: When will VW produce a gas-electric hybrid?
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Rating: 92% based on 925 ratings. 4 user reviews.
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