Diesel Saving Technology Emerges, But Is It Too Late To Save The Oil Burner?

After reading the article, it does seem to be something that would become extremely valuable in the near term. I still believe long term we will be moving away from fossil fuels, but something like this would greatly improve diesel engines as we progress towards their replacement.

I really miss my diesel Passat, and would love to get a diesel in the latest Tiguan. Since I just bought my Subaru, I won't be in the market for a while, but this is going to take a few years to commercialize. Have to see if anything comes from it.

@atc98092: Interesting that you owned a diesel car and recently bought a Subaru. I currently drive an Audi Q5 3.0 TDI (and I love it). I do research just to be aware of what's available that I might like. Even though I have no plans to change my car any time soon, if I was forced to replace my Q5, I'd definitely visit a Subaru showroom and get to know their SUVs in person.

My favorite VW dealer also sells Subaru, so I knew I would be treated well there. Also, they sold me my used Q5 and was aware of the oil consumption issue I had, do they were anxious to help me out. I really wanted a Tiguan SEL Premium, but there were none available within 150 miles. The Mazda CX-5 was high on my list, especially since a diesel version is supposed to be coming (but still hasn't arrived), and I also liked the Equinox diesel. But once I drove the Subaru with the 6 cylinder engine I was convinced I could live with a CVT. And the Outback is roomier and more comfortable than my Q5 was. I also really like their Eyesight safety package. The adaptive cruise is really nice.

If it delivers as promised -- by removing 99% of NOx -- *AND* without adversely affecting anything else, then this will be awesome for diesel, and ICE in general.

In the US, even though diesel passenger vehicles didn't catch on in a big way, virtually everything you buy has been shipped by diesel powered trucks, trains, and even boats, so yeah, this would be a good thing for all of us, not just Europeans (where diesel cars are still popular).

This will only be an effective solution if a) it is rolled out and deployed on a grand scale and b) it remains a cost effective solution. The problem with this type of tech is the developers always get greedy and price themselves out of the market or can't commercialize the product fast enough to meet market demand.

I was involved with a tech company years ago where we had a 96 4X4 Chevy 3/4 Pick up getting over 30 mpg and almost 0 emissions and couldn't get anyone to license the technology aside from GM and Chrysler. The problem with the later 2 is they were notorious for stealing IP and bankrupting you with legal fees to force a settlement from you for pittance and so the tech was shelved.

Just more Rube Goldberg technology to make the diesel work when hybrids and EVs are simply the better choice.

Again - one has to really look at WHERE diesel technology is important and that is still in Europe - where diesel fuel is still MUCH cheaper than Gasoline - and a lot of people could not afford the difference in price.

Evs are not a better choice until there are MORE charging stations than gas stations AND they solve the problem of people who do not own their houses - and must us PUBLIC Charging. WE still do not have enough generation capacity for all these charging stations either. Maybe in 20 years!

AS far as Hybrids - there is nothing that prevents a Diesel engine from being the ICE engine in a Hybrid - just as there is nothing that would prevent a Rotary engine - I would suspect that when they can limit the rev range of the engine - they can successfully solve the emissions problems easier as well. ANd - unless you are buying high end - Hybrids remain NERD cars - especially when they have CVTs - and are really not exciting to drive in the affordable ones. I have driven two extensively - the Fusion - and the Current Malibu - and while the Malibu us still much better than the Fusion - it is still no more than a transportation appliance - with no real character at all.