Quote:
Originally Posted by drcampbell
If a typical Volt owner drives 8,000 city miles per year (on battery power) and 8,000 highway miles per year (at 40 mi/gal), it'll consume 200 gallons of gasoline.
What possible scenario justifies either installing a more-expensive Diesel engine, or developing multiple powertrain options for a limited-production vehicle?
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BMW and Mercedes charge only a 1000 euro premium for their equivalent 3L diesel vs. 3L gas engines in Europe. If a diesel Volt got 60 mpg highway at $4.80/gal and gas 40 mpg @ $4.20/gal, that computes to a $0.025 saving/mile or $200/year under your scenario. If the price premium were a reasonable $1000 (for a 0.8L 2-3 cyl diesel it should be less!) payoff would be 5 years. Assuming the Euro-diesel precedent of $533/L, the prorated premium should be only $427; payoff in 2 years + 6 weeks.
Furthermore, if fuel goes to $10/gal (possible if Iran closes Strait of Hormuz in a war over nukes) I don't think "limited production" of cars like this will be the correct term.
I don't think diesel will be more than gas in the US forever; my wife's next car will be a BMW 335xd.
Charlie
