WILL DIESEL HYBRID CARS BE A SUCCESS
Diesel Hybrid Cars: Will it Catch On like the Mainstream Hybrid Cars? Ford Thinks So
Four years ago hybrid automobiles would rarely be seen in roads and freeways. But as more people noticed and realized the great advantages this eco-friendly vehicles offer, and the savings they get, more and more hybrid automobiles are now plying our roads. So much so that hybrid vehicles are now as mainstream as the conventional engine vehicles that we got used to. But, it wouldn't be a surprise if new developments and innovations come out to further develop the existing hybrid technology or to provide new technologies.
Many stories and rumors has circulated in the motor world of different discoveries and concepts that can further revolutionize the hybrid technology in motor vehicles, but many questions have also arisen on why some certain pre-existing technology have not been incorporated with the hybrid innovation. This includes the diesel hybrid concept.
Diesel engines have been vastly popular in Europe and Asia. While North America haven't embraced the diesel engine as much as their overseas neighbors, developments have been made in the United Says to eliminate the characteristics which have made it a poor choice here. Recent developments have eliminated the excessive smoke generated and the loud rattling noises of the engines. Additionally, biodiesel fuel has had a growing following and is seen as a solution to save the depletion of natural resources like oil. Combining hybrid technology and the new biodiesel fuel seems to be a superior solution to our growing problems. Biodiesel is now cleaner and is also cheaper than regular gasoline.
While there have been no serious research and development done on diesel hybrid vehicles just yet, Ford has released a diesel hybrid concept car at the North Auto American Auto show in Detroit last January 10, 2006. Ford dubbed it as the Reflex sportscar. This is a vehicle that's infused with a power source that uses a combination of a diesel engine, an electric motor and solar panels. Also, the Ford Reflex is all wheel drive car that Ford claims gets 65 miles to a gallon.
The Reflex, which could be the basis for future diesel hybrid vehicles operates much the same way as gas/electric hybrid cars. It also has a hybrid battery pack to provide backup power to the vehicle that gets recharged by the engine and the heat generated by braking. The diesel Hybrid automobile by Ford uses lithium-ion batteries, the same kind used by the latest gadgets this day, like cellular phones and portable personal. Most hybrid vehicles use nickel-metal hydrite batteries because they are far more cheaper, but lithium-ion batteries have far more power capacity.
But the Reflex also extracts power from solar cells located inside the headlamps and taillamps. This is a technology patented by Ford. There are also solar cells put in the roof of the automobile that provides power to fans that operates inside the automobile to cool the interior when it is parked under the hot sun.
We can only wait until hybrid diesel automobile technology is more available. Until then, we can wait until diesel fuel can provide the same power as gasoline fuel. But when the technology is refined, we can all be sure that diesel hybrid cars will surely catch on and we'll be seeing it more often.