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Will There Be Diesel Hybrid Cars?

Just a few short years ago hybrid cars of any kind would only rarely be seen on the nation's roads and freeways. Inevitably, however, as more people noticed and realized the great advantages this eco-friendly cars offer, and the savings they could get as gas prices rose, more and more hybrid cars were purchased and are now traveling our roads. So much so that hybrid cars are now nearly as mainstream as the conventional engine cars that we got used to, although not in use as pervasively as standard, non-hybrid vehicles such as the Toyota Prius.

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 that make diesel hybrid cars even more feasible.

Many stories and rumors have been circulated in the motor world concerning different discoveries and concepts that can further revolutionize the hybrid technology in motor vehicles.  At the same time, many questions have also arisen as to why certain pre-existing technology has not been integrated with the hybrid innovation.

This includes the diesel hybrid concept!

Diesel engines have been vastly popular in Europe and Asia for many years. While those of us living in North America have not embraced the diesel engine as much as our overseas neighbors, developments have been made in the United States to eliminate many of the characteristics which have made it a poor choice here. Recent developments have eliminated, for example, the excessive smoke generated and the loud rattling noises associated with diesel engines. Additionally, more readily available biodiesel fuel has gained a growing following and is seen as a possible solution to the steady depletion of natural resources such as oil. Combining hybrid technology and the new biodiesel fuel seems to be a better solution to our growing fuel, and polluction, problems. Biodiesel is becoming cleaner and cheaper than regular gasoline.

The Ford Reflex

While there seems to have been no serious research and development done on diesel hybrid cars just yet, Ford did release a diesel hybrid concept car at the North Auto American Auto show in Detroit on January 10, 2006. Ford dubbed it the Reflex sportscar.  This is a car that is powered by a combination of a diesel engine, an electric motor, and solar panels. Additionally, the Ford Reflex is all-wheel drive car that Ford claims is capable of getting 65 miles to a gallon.

The Reflex, which could be the basis on which to construct future diesel hybrid cars, operates much the same way as the familiar gas/electric hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius. It has the same type hybrid battery pack to provide backup power to the car that gets recharged by the engine and regenerative braking. The diesel Hybrid car by Ford uses lithium-ion batteries, the same kind used by the latest gadgets today, like cellular phones and portable computers. This is a departure from the technology of most hybrid cars which use nickel-metal hydrite batteries because they are far more cheaper.  On the other hand, lithium-ion batteries have far more power capacity.

Use of Solar Cell Technology

Going one step farther than the current convential hybrid vehicle technology, however, the Reflex also extracts power from solar cells located inside the headlamps and taillamps. This is an innovative technology patented by Ford. There are also solar cells placed in the roof of the car which provide power to fans that operate inside the car to cool the interior when it is parked under the hot sun.  It is easy to see that this concept could be expanded to other aspects, such as recharging the battery, perhaps.  This could concievably be transferrable to electric cars as well.

As things are now, we must wait until hybrid diesel car technology is more available. Until that tiem, we can wait until diesel fuel can provide the same power as gasoline fuel. Once the technology is refined, however, we can be certain that diesel hybrid cars will catch on and we will be seeing more of them on the roads.

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