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A friend recently remarked that she got 55 MPG on her last (all highway) car trip in her diesel VW Jetta. I wonder what demand looks like for these? Also, I ha

by mildavw 17y ago

A friend recently remarked that she got 55 MPG on her last (all highway) car trip in her diesel VW Jetta. I wonder what demand looks like for these? Also, I had lunch with a marketing contractor regarding a "green" tinted startup I was considering. She recommended I offer blog/facebook badges so that people could "brand" themselves as users of the service. She used the Prius and how its instantly identifiable shape/look helps sales as an example of this benefit. One of the important factors for potential customers is that others know they're green.

amalcon 17y ago
Yeah, diesel used to be terrible environmentally-speaking, but now it's actually very good. They've made big improvements over the years, between engine efficiency and that low-sulfur fuel they use now. That said, they're less convenient in some respects, which is going to be a barrier whether we like it or not.
- kaitnieks 17y ago
  In what respects are they less convenient exactly?
  - ramidarigaz 17y ago
    Diesel prices > gasoline prices.
    - kaitnieks 17y ago
      You're probably talking about USA and while the prices are higher here as well, that's only because of taxes which are bigger for diesel. By how much more does diesel cost in USA compared to petrol?
      - ramidarigaz 17y ago
        $0.50 to $1.00/gal more.
        trafficlight 17y ago
        In Montana right now, diesel is about $2.39/gallon versus $2.59/gallon for regular gas.
    - deleted 17y ago
      [deleted]
  - amalcon 17y ago
    Infrastructure. It's somewhat harder to find a diesel gas station, and also somewhat harder to find a mechanic to work on a diesel. This is at least true in the U.S.
truebosko 17y ago
I've only heard good things about Volkswagen and diesel engines in the past year or so. What are the downsides do it? Is it better for someone looking to buy a car in the next 2-3 years to just wait out for a hybrid or is diesel/gas here to stay for a lengthier time?
- brc 17y ago
  If you are interested in the true environmental benefits, then a diesel Jetta is a better car than a Prius. The Jetta is just as good as the Prius for fuel economy in real world driving, particularly if you have a significant freeway component to your normal driving. In addition, diesel drivetrains last longer, are less energy and resource intensive to build. And as a side benefit, the turbo diesel VW engines will out perform a Prius in acceleration and real-world driving. In addition, diesel engines have the most fuel flexibility to run on bio-fuels, and bio diesel is the easiest to make, positioning yourself well for future technology changes. Diesel is not new or it revolutionary. 50% of all new passenger cars in Europe are diesels, they have been continually refined to the point where they are a quiet, powerful clean running powerplant. The only drawback is that your neighbours and co-workers will not know you made the environmental choice, and you won't get HOV lane inclusion.

by mildavw 17y ago

amalcon 17y ago

Yeah, diesel used to be terrible environmentally-speaking, but now it's actually very good. They've made big improvements over the years, between engine efficiency and that low-sulfur fuel they use now. That said, they're less convenient in some respects, which is going to be a barrier whether we like it or not.

kaitnieks 17y ago
In what respects are they less convenient exactly?
- ramidarigaz 17y ago
  Diesel prices > gasoline prices.
  - kaitnieks 17y ago
    You're probably talking about USA and while the prices are higher here as well, that's only because of taxes which are bigger for diesel. By how much more does diesel cost in USA compared to petrol?
    - ramidarigaz 17y ago
      $0.50 to $1.00/gal more.
      - trafficlight 17y ago
        In Montana right now, diesel is about $2.39/gallon versus $2.59/gallon for regular gas.
  - deleted 17y ago
    [deleted]
- amalcon 17y ago
  Infrastructure. It's somewhat harder to find a diesel gas station, and also somewhat harder to find a mechanic to work on a diesel. This is at least true in the U.S.

truebosko 17y ago

I've only heard good things about Volkswagen and diesel engines in the past year or so. What are the downsides do it? Is it better for someone looking to buy a car in the next 2-3 years to just wait out for a hybrid or is diesel/gas here to stay for a lengthier time?

brc 17y ago
If you are interested in the true environmental benefits, then a diesel Jetta is a better car than a Prius. The Jetta is just as good as the Prius for fuel economy in real world driving, particularly if you have a significant freeway component to your normal driving. In addition, diesel drivetrains last longer, are less energy and resource intensive to build. And as a side benefit, the turbo diesel VW engines will out perform a Prius in acceleration and real-world driving. In addition, diesel engines have the most fuel flexibility to run on bio-fuels, and bio diesel is the easiest to make, positioning yourself well for future technology changes. Diesel is not new or it revolutionary. 50% of all new passenger cars in Europe are diesels, they have been continually refined to the point where they are a quiet, powerful clean running powerplant. The only drawback is that your neighbours and co-workers will not know you made the environmental choice, and you won't get HOV lane inclusion.