Diesel Vs Hybrid Vehicles

By Author: Insurance Hunter
Total Articles: 15
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You’re looking for a new car. A multitude of vehicle options and an array of questions flood your mind, and you haven’t even set foot into a dealership. Your concerns lie far beyond the sticker price. Questions about gas mileage, environmental impact and reliability mean more to you than what kind of paint colours you get to choose from, or where the drink holders are.

If you’re like most people, you’ve probably heard from numerous sources about the benefits of both hybrid and diesel automobiles, when compared to their traditional gasoline fueled counterparts. It seems to be a close race; deciding whether you go with a hybrid and its environmental benefits, or opt for a diesel that also boasts high fuel efficiency, but comes with a lot more power and performance on the highway. Figuring out which way to go may seem like a confusing prospect, but this article is here to help you find your way and to help you make the decision that’s right for you.

What hybrid engines offer, and the potential pitfalls of owning one.

Simply put, a hybrid is a vehicle that has two motors. One motor is an ...
... engine that is powered by gasoline, while the second engine is a battery-powered electric motor. The primary engine of a hybrid is the gasoline engine. Whether you’re driving on the highway or on a windy country road, the gasoline or traditional engine is responsible for getting you where you need to go. The electric motor on the other hand provides additional power when you accelerate and takes over all of the power requirements when you’re driving slowly, idling in traffic or waiting at a light. The batteries housed in a hybrid vehicle are recharged by excess energy produced by the gasoline engine, and energy from the brakes during braking; this is called regenerative braking. With this combination of technologies, the hybrid is incredibly fuel efficient compared to traditional gasoline automobiles, resulting in reduced greenhouse gases and a more optimized use of gasoline, especially in smaller models.

On the down side, most hybrids offer an eight- to ten-year warranty on their battery packs which may hurt the resale value of cars because of the high price of replacing battery packs. If you’re a consumer looking to save money on the purchase of a new vehicle and not just at the gas pump, know that hybrids are not cheap. They often cost thousands of dollars more than their traditional gasoline or diesel powered counterparts.

What diesel engines offer, and the potential pitfalls of owning one.

While hybrid technology is relatively new on the market, diesel powered automobiles have been around since the invention of the diesel engine by Rudolf Diesel in 1893. In decades past, consumers came to view diesel cars as noisy, smoke belching nuisances on the road. Well times have changed and so has the technology behind new diesel automobiles.

The difference between a traditional gasoline fueled engine and a diesel-powered engine is how combustion is accomplished. Rather than dizzying you with numbers and compression ratios, all you need to know is that diesel fuel contains more energy per unit volume than gasoline, and at a higher compression ratio. This means you’ll get more mechanical energy and use less fuel to cover the same distance. This also allows the diesel engine to generate a lot of power without using a lot of fuel to do so, while creating a ton of low-end torque which equals more power on the road. Diesel engines also use parts that are heavier than traditional gasoline engines, making diesel engines workhorses that last a lot longer on the road than other automobiles.

If the environment is really important to you, know that when carbon dioxide output between a hybrid car and a diesel car is directly compared, the hybrid will produce less CO2 even if the two vehicles get the exact same gas mileage. But thanks to cleaner diesel fuel with lower sulfur content, and technological advancements in filters to trap particulate emissions, diesel engines are burning fuel cleaner than ever.

When it comes time for you to decide whether you want to opt for buying a hybrid vehicle or a diesel, the choice is truly based on driver needs. If you’re looking for a car that uses less gas and boasts super low emissions, then a hybrid may be the car you’re looking for. But if you want a vehicle with low-end torque and performance on the highway, than diesel is likely the way to go. The decision truly depends on what matters most to you, on the road and at the pump.

Looking for more information on hybrid vehicles, auto insurance quotes or maintenance tips, visit InsuranceHunter.ca