Diesel Isn't Just for Truck Drivers Anymore
The 2009 Detroit Auto Show, while still a playground for speed enthusiasts and lovers of luxury, was a clear indicator of the current trends in green driving. This year’s trend is twofold — a combination driven by the advent of new technologies in both diesel and hybrid vehicles.
Most drivers who opt to go green are obviously hoping to decrease their negative impact on the environment, but are also looking for vehicles that provide them with money-saving fuel efficiency.
Clean diesel technology can achieve both of these goals. But what about those noisy, smoky diesel engines — how can those be environmentally friendly, you ask? Recent updates in the operation of diesel engines have deemed such loudmouth vehicles a thing of the past.
Today’s diesel engine runs on high-pressure direct fuel injection and exhaust emissions systems that cut down on pollution. Fuel economy is better on a diesel engine than a traditional, as well. A Volkswagen TDI gets 30 mpg in the city, 41 on the highway.
Several automakers, including Ford, GM and Chrysler, are adding new diesel vehicles to their 2010 lineups.
What’s the difference, you may ask, between a traditional engine and a diesel? A diesel engine relies on a compression ignition cycle, meaning high compression ratios ignite fuel-air charge rather than the spark plugs of gas-burning engines.
No big secret in green driving, hybrid vehicles are also seeing improvement. The advancements in hybrid powertrain technology are more related to quantity than quality, however — much of the actual technology remains the same, but automakers are producing a much higher output of hybrid vehicles than they have in years past.
Honda, Toyota, Lexus and BMW are examples of automakers that are jumping on the hybrid bandwagon and providing customers with a greater variety of green vehicles.
As with diesel vehicles, hybrids provide greater fuel economy in addition to their smaller carbon footprint. Their battery-powered electric motors mean a decreased use in gasoline, thus lessening the financial burden of gasoline on hybrid drivers.
There are downsides to both diesel and hybrid, such as the expensive cost of diesel engines and the decreased acceleration in hybrid vehicles. If either of those factors are turn-offs to you, there is also good news in the world of traditional gasoline-burning engines.
"Technologies such as dual variable valve timing, reduced pumping losses, and improved engine control systems will be where mileage improvements in internal combustion engines come from," Dan Yerace, senior powertrain engineer at Toyota, said. "Also, the trend toward more forward gears in transmissions will contribute to mileage gains."
So regardless of how you choose to drive to work in the morning, there are greener (and cheaper!) alternatives for everyone.
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