Hybrid, Diesel , EV, or CNG: Which Is Our Best Chance Of Being Green Long Term?

The first mass-market electric vehicles are about to go on sale in selected cities, kicking off the beginning of a wave of new green vehicles hitting showrooms over the coming year.

The Chevrolet Volt, from General Motors, and the Leaf, from Nissan, both launching in December, are just the beginning of the electrification trend. At least eight hybrids and 12 plug-in electric cars in every price range are planned for 2011, with another batch of electric vehicles (EVs) expected in 2012.

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Joe_Limon - 12/7/2010 4:55:17 PM

-1 Boost

HCCI

Doukas - 12/7/2010 7:38:04 PM

0 Boost

none of those, best "green" vehicle for long term would be something that runs on some type of renewable/recyclable fuel.

Joe_Limon - 12/7/2010 7:49:15 PM

+1 Boost

it could be argued that all of the options presented on this page could be run by some type of renewable/recyclable fuel.

Neverfollow - 12/7/2010 8:15:44 PM

+2 Boost

Diesel

t_bone - 12/7/2010 8:44:23 PM

+1 Boost

irishmike - 12/7/2010 8:57:24 PM

+3 Boost

For now, Hybrids. USA is missing the boat on diesels.

Rectifier - 12/7/2010 9:10:23 PM

+2 Boost

CNG + hybrid is the best compromise between high fuel efficiency and low emissions.
Gas hybrid comes second with better FE but slightly worse emissions.
Diesel - last due to higher emissions and FE similar to gas hybrid.

freeagent - 12/7/2010 10:40:16 PM

0 Boost

None of them will stick unless there is a significant gas tax (not like the 15c tax in the Deficit Commission recommendations). While I'm no fan of such taxes (or other taxes, for that matter), short of this the only way these alternatives will work here is if other issues drive the cost of gas above $3 or $4 a gallon.

I'd rather had a tax like this and be able to buy what I want and the manufacturers to produce what they want instead of CAFE-mandated product mixes.

Instead we are primed for a whole wave of expensive, wheezy cars that will be foised on all of us.

tango - 12/8/2010 12:15:56 AM

0 Boost

Diesels (in current form or in homogeneous combustion compression ignition, HCCI, as Limon suggests) do it for me. Of course, this should be backed up by biodiesel fuel, created from algae stock. A diesel hybrid (I'm talking to you, GM) would be icing on the cake.

drell1emc - 12/8/2010 7:07:31 AM

+3 Boost

diesel-hybrids for now, then EV's will take over. natural gas the industry can still charge you per unit, but solar is free as solar panels advance with battery capacity and super conductors{capacitors}.
Is the logical progression! desotto or more efficient petro can by substituted for the diesels

JUGNU - 12/8/2010 9:01:07 AM

+3 Boost

Diesel Hybrid.

Diesel can also be made out of coal and many countries are coal rich.

JUGNU

enthusiastx11 - 12/8/2010 11:24:37 AM

+1 Boost

diesel hybrid with a lithium ion battery. efficiency, power, less environmental impact in manufacture.

bfghemicuda - 12/8/2010 12:00:20 PM

+1 Boost

Dodge has announced they will be offering a Diesel / Hybrid for 2013 in the 1500 Ram. The 5 litre Cummins V8 Diesel will be offered first, then mated to the Hybrid Transmission. They are estimating mid to high 20's for mileage.