Diesel or Hybrid to power the future
June 15, 2006 by Alborz Fallah
Diesel is seen by many as the saviour of the petrol crisis. The cost per kilometre is lower, and the engines have been refined so much that they are now almost up to the specifications of petrol engines (and don’t sound like a bus). However in around 5-10 years when Hybrid technology has matured a little more there is going to be a big question for car buyers as to whether or not they should buy a Hybrid car or a Diesel car. Most importantly, Car Companies themselves are also divided on the future. Toyota being the propagator of Hybrid technologies has, unsurprisingly put its money in Hybrid while Daimler Chrysler (Mitsubishi, Mercedes Benz etc) has it put it’s money on Diesel. So what does the future hold?
From a logical point of view, it seems like a waste of time and investment to see the future of cars running diesel engines. However I must note that in Europe nearly 50% of the new car market belongs to Diesel cars and Hybrids are struggling, while in the states Diesel hasn’t really taken off while Hybrid is on the way up. Here in Australia, we are still very much reluctant to pick either side, the Toyota Prius is still selling well while more and more Diesel cars are coming down under.
So who will win? Only time will tell but it does seem a little odd to try to solve the world Fuel crisis by using a different type of Fuel while Hybrid technology tries to move away from the problem in the first place. If I was to take a bet on the winning technology, I’d go with Hybrid without a doubt.
Print it: 
Choosing between diesel and hybrid is like choosing between seat belt and airbag. If I had to choose between seat belt and airbag I’d go to seat belt, but that doesn’t mean you should get a car without airbags. You should get a car with both seat belts and air bags because they work together to increase safety.
Likewise, diesels and hybrids can work together to lower fuel consumption. The Toyota Prius consumes 4.4L/100km but the Peugeot diesel-hybrid consumes 4.0L/100km. Hino has also created a diesel-hybrid truck available in Australia.
Thanks John, you stole my thunder, diesel hybrid is the best interim solution to fuel bills.
Diesel is a future. Diesel will go to cooling oils without fossile oils. One day the governament can’t collect any tax cent from oils.
Hybrid Technology does NOT move away from the problem, it just makes it slightly better. You still HAVE TO BURN fossil fuel (i.e. petrol) to generate some sort of power. On the other hand, biodiesel is made from (surprise-surprise) canola oil, peanut oil and any other vegetable oil out there. The one harvested from the field, not from under the ground!
Because of thet, diesel is the way of the future.
Considering this, I really don’t understand why any sain person would go towards petrol hybrid, when diesel hybrid is so obviously better. NO fossil fuel AND greater fuel economy due to more efficient power generation cycle combined with higher energy per unit of fuel.
Are these people at toyota so obtuse that they can’t see that?
Hybrid cars are good enough and Electric cars are hot favorite right now and ppl are searching for electric cars and bikes a lot these days …
do you know about a diesel car from south korea that came out -06 and did a good succses