[ExI] Fuel efficient car for anywhere but America

[Max More]

On the negative side of diesel, not only is it more expensive -- at least in
the USA; I don't recall the difference the last times I was in Europe -- but
it seems that cars and trucks running on diesel are MUCH noiser. Is this a
necessary feature of diesel. (I find that unlikely.) If not, why does it
seem to be typical? I see and hear small pick-up trucks that sound like
enormous commercial trucks ("lorries" for the UK). Can someone point me to a
*brief* but informative answer?

--- Max

On Sun, Apr 10, 2011 at 9:02 AM, spike <spike66 at att.net> wrote:

>
>
> Stuart, I am a fan of turbo Diesel, but there is an important subtlety in
> the emissions numbers.  Diesel actually does produce less CO2 per kW of
> power production, but it emits more carbon particulate.  In the US, CO2
> isn't actually considered a pollutant, but carbon soot is definitely a
> pollutant.  Modern Diesel engines have a particulate filter, which helps,
> but there is some particulate which necessarily escapes.  Changing the
> filter is an expense to the owner, so of course they will remove them.
> Carbon particulate is bad for humans, whereas carbon dioxide is harmless in
> the quantities that cars and trucks make it.  Some will argue carbon
> dioxide
> is bad for the earth, but that is a different question.
>
> That being said, I can envision a two cylinder 20 kW turbo Diesel in a
> series hybrid configuration which would beat both BlueMotion and the Prius
> in fuel economy and greenness.  It wouldn't be fast.
>
> spike
>
>
>

-- 
Max More
Strategic Philosopher
Co-founder, Extropy Institute
CEO, Alcor Life Extension Foundation
7895 E. Acoma Dr # 110
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
877/462-5267 ext 113
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