Study Shows Diesel May Have Advantages Over Hybrids

Although hybrids currently enjoy frontrunner status among environmentally conscious car shoppers, a recent study conducted by the RAND Corporation suggests clean diesel technology may have advantages over hybrids and ethanol vehicles, both for the consumer and for the environment. When factoring in the cost of making and transporting fuels, cost to the consumer and various impacts use of the fuel has on energy security and U.S. oil dependence, diesel fuel stacks up well against green alternatives.           

Over the course of a vehicle’s lifetime, the advanced diesel technology shows greater savings, ranging from several hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on the type of vehicle. Although diesel fuel is on average more expensive than gasoline, it’s also more efficient, and the cost of the technology drives up the price of hybrids. That finding could change if hybrid price tags begin dropping.             

The study also gives clean diesel engines a slight nod over hybrids from a societal point of view. After factoring in the cost of hybrid technology and the increased performance of diesel fuel, RAND found that diesel engines hold an environmental advantage. As Wired.com points out, however, this does not factor in diesel’s contribution to black carbon, which next to carbon dioxide is thought to be the emission most responsible for climate change.             

With diesels making up a miniscule chunk of vehicles sold in the U.S., hybrids will likely maintain their easy domination of the market for the foreseeable future. However, that does not mean diesel won’t make inroads. Chrysler Group has the Mercedes E320 BlueTec and the Jeep Liberty CRD, while Volkswagen has scheduled the release of a clean-diesel Jetta for late summer 2008.

Diesels Better for Society than Hybrids, Study Finds (wired.com)