Ever since the appearance of
hybrid cars on the automotive market, car manufacturers have struggled
to either keep the pace with the innovative competition or even
outsmart them with their own ideas. Hybrid cars do not have many
standards, but not many variations either, where the manufacturer to
manufacturer differences are just enough to satisfy trademark
infringement limitations. It is a logical development that at some
point the gasoline guzzling engine in the hybrid concoction is replaced
with a diesel engine, if for a lack of reason, just to be different.
Nevertheless, the pros and cons of diesel have been discussed very much
in the past, being factually less expensive than regular gasoline and
somewhat more fuel efficient, this idea does make sense, even
environmentally.
While all diesel engines are capable to run on pure biofuels, i. e.
biodiesel, the obvious public interest is very small, which lead to the
fact that diesel hybrid vehicles were primarily produced as buses or
delivery vans. Many prototypes do exist and it is to be expected that
very soon diesel electric hybrid passenger cars hit the production
lines. Peugeot Citroen has already unveiled some models that run on a
diesel electric drivetrain hybrid engines, one of the most notable may
be the Peugeot 308 featuring hybrid diesel electric technology supplied
by none other but the German Robert Bosch GmbH. Volkswagen is also
working hard on the hybrid car technology, but has no models scheduled
to be released. In test phase is a prototype diesel hybrid car, which
apparently achieved unbelievable two liters per hundred kilometers on
fuel economy, but it is uncertain when and in what form this automotive
giant will use this apparatus. General Motors, one of the most
inventive American car manufacturers is working on an Opel Astra
version featuring diesel electric hybrid technology. Unfortunately,
even GM is not going towards mass production as of yet. Toyota has a
Dyna Diesel Hybrid truck out, but no other models are currently being
offered, not even a Prius diesel.
Scheduled for release in 2011 is a diesel electric engine powered Land
Rover Range Rover, a brand owned by the Indian Tata Motors. The newly
designed hybrid version of the popular SUV will be offered in other
versions as well. Another car manufacturing company from India,
Mahindra & Mahindra Limited, plans to release a diesel electric
hybrid pickup truck by 2010.
While Mercedes-Benz was very popular with their diesel line, especially
in Europe where most Taxicabs were Mercedes diesels, there is no
information available when the German giant will provide a diesel
electric hybrid.

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