Posted on 11/10/2018 20:52
Auto Express this week have an article about Mercedes not giving up on the Diesel they will be bringing out a "C" Class running on a standard 2L diesel paired to electric motors. First cars are due for delivery Nov 19 circa £32000 including goverment subsidies (rumoured to be reduced soon)
Posted on 14/10/2018 14:41
We now have trains running in a similar manner. They were supposed to be all electric, but the government took the money for erecting the wires in Wales and West and did something else with it. So they have been fitted with diesel electric generator sets to go the extra mile (well actually, extra hundered miles!)
Posted on 14/10/2018 20:41
The problem is legislation. The current popular Hybrids are mainly Mild Hybrid, that means they have a range on batteries 30 miles and then an underpowered petrol/diesel has to drag around a standard powertrain and a huge additional weight of the batteries and the motor. Not energy efficient but very good for dodging tax.
Proper hybrids are creeping in, Toyota seem to be offering the most progressive designs. The Merc does seem to be a bit of a innovative type but it is still basically a 2.0L Diesel with batteries. Very tax efficient but not really any more energy efficient.
Until there is a body to assess the efficiency of every new model and then declare that efficiency and tax it appropriately then the car makers will follow the poorly thought out legislation that slows progress.
Tigi