Are Hybrids the savior of the auto industry

[Combwork]

[QUOTE=SAE2922;1012]Combwork,

I see that you are talking about LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas - "Propane") in the U.K. The building of a nationwide array of hydrogen fuel stations in the United States would have to be straight from the beginning. Converting a gasoline fuel station to handle hydrogen would entail a complete top-to-bottom rebuild of the fuel handling equipment. Not cheap by any means.

What some of the fuel stations have done here is add a single LPG pump to the existing petrol and diesel pumps. LPG is still pressurized, but nothing like as much as liquid hydrogen.

With our present refining infrastructure, going with a clean-burning diesel technology may be the way to go instead of gas-hybrid technology. Turbo-charging small displacement diesel engines can easily approach the 40-50 mpg range (or better) TODAY.

We're ahead of you on that one; a good example is the Fiat Multipla. 6 seat, aircon, all the bells and whistles. Urban cycle 50 mpg, long distance 55 mpg from a 1.9 litre turbocharged diesel. Even a 15 year old 2.5 litre Citroen turbo Diesel Estate gets around 40 mpg. The Citroen BX (1.7 turbo diesel) is quite happy to run on straight vegetable oil; really does bring driving costs down.

Oh well, maybe I'll get my license back but I'll not hold my breath........