BTW, in case you think I’m full of crap in my 80MPG estimates, check out the latest Audi effort which is similar in idea. I didn’t know this had been unwrapped until after I posted the previous message:
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2010/10/etronspyder-20101001.html
107 MPG (US gallons). And it will blow the doors off most sports cars. And it doesn’t look like some boring Detroit sedan or some idiotic Japanese econo-box.
It looks fast, it IS fast, and it is efficient.
Meanwhile, we’re listening to a bunch of patchouli-oil soaked morons who carp and whine endlessly about “zero emissions” who inspire such nonsense as the GM Volt, which was the original topic of this thread. The GM Volt will probably get over 40MPG on the highway. Let’s say it gets 50MPG.
Whoopti-freakin’-do.
Compared to this Audi, GM has labored mightily and brought forth.... boredom.
I know the idea of a diesel hybrid would work. Now. Today.
The Germans are proving me right.
And GM continues to deliver absolutely boring shite. At my expense, because I’m paying taxes.
I’d by a European turbo diesel sedan today for my commute if the EPA would let me.
That being said, when fuel cells hit the market, they will come out of the gate about 30% more efficient than the best diesel. A SOFC would also be more flexible regarding fuel. It would run on diesel as easily as gasoline or kerosene, or fuel oil or methanol or what ever is cheapest per joule of energy.
I’m not philosophically opposed to the internal combustion engine. It has done a great job and will probably continue to so in some form for the next 100 years but there is room for better technology.