China has a policy switch, dumps the diesel!
According to a new policy that was passed down from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), diesel powered cars will no longer enjoy the preferential policies that were previously given. Instead, the NDRC will award hybrid manufacturers with preferential policies to aid in the development of electric powered engines.
PSA and Volkswagen were recently touting their diesel powered motors in China, but it seems that Toyota, and Honda, who have been recently lobbying the PRC government for preferential treatment of hybrid motors.
China seems cautious on the future of diesel, could recent fuel shortages be a reason, (why have most of the nations cars running off a fuel that is running scarce) or perhaps that Chinese diesel quality is as good as foreign countries?
Many Chinese auto manufacturers are currently developing hybrid technology, both Chang’an and Chery have working models, BYD and Haima are going down the 100% electric route and other makes are using foreign diesel engines in a bid to cut down on emissions.
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Globally speaking, the track record of diesel in passenger cars has not been good. Noise/vibration, odor, smoke emissions, vulnerability to low grade fuel, etc.. have tarnished the reputation of diesel-powered cars.
Globally speaking, the track record of diesel in passenger cars has not been good. Noise/vibration, odor, smoke emissions, vulnerability to low grade fuel, etc.. have tarnished the reputation of diesel-powered cars. It’s been a seesaw ride for the proponents of this kind of powerplant.
Dragin – have a look at the new Mazda 2 1.4 diesel.
Check out that MPG!
http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=224657
Dragin’s comment would make sense if this were 1979. You aren’t a time traveler are you?
Allan I know that these problems have been addressed with some degree of success, but I just think that the diesel passenger car’s time has come and gone.
I think the opposite will happen, but not in China. Diesels will just become cleaner, and more popular as time goes on. Perhaps with VAG’s help, even Americans will be driving them en masse before long.
The easiest and highest cost-benefit in the realm of bio-fuels is bio-diesel. We are on the edge of a revolution with custom-designed algae already providing 5000 gallons of oil per acre in trials. With our abundant deserts (lots of sun), and coast line (lots of sea water), we could easily become the Saudi Arabia of bio-diesel. Think of the national security implications.
Diesels are inherently more efficient, they are more fun to drive and the input output ratio of ergs in to ergs out with bio-diesel is up around 16! Not the .68 of ethanol which represents a net loss of energy during conversion to a fuel.
I’ve driven modern diesels and believe me, I really don’t enjoy driving gassers with their limited torque at low rpm. Drive a hilly interstate with a diesel and you will then understand why over half of the bmw’s sold in France are diesels. They’re simply better, more fun to drive…and they’re 30% more efficient.
Dragin, get real- the future is diesel, most of the hybrids (esp the US of A models) are nothing more than a wank. Look at the majority of todays modern diesels, quiet, smooth running, very low emmisions and super thrifty, not to mention very low maintainace and low life. The Beemer and Benz and many other diesel models outperform their equivalant petrol versions in torque and general performance. China sadly has taken another retrograde step – if you have peasants in power then they make peasant decisions!
I hope a company like NAC (or now SAIC) can push out some of the existing MG diesel sports models to show the Chinese market that diesel doesnt equal slow and dirty.
Any intercity journey would take you hours though, giving that you would have to queue up with all the trucks at gas stations!