"James Robinson" wrote in message
. ..
"Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe" The Sea Hawk at wow way d0t com wrote:

Small diesels give about the same fuel economy as hybrids, but the
diffuculty is making the tailpipe emission standards in the US -
particularly California. Thus the popularity of hybrids in the US but
not in Europe where emission standards are easier.

Actually, the emission standards are tighter in Europe. The reason they
can meet their emission standards with diesel engines is that they
mandated
low sulfur fuel several years ago, and it is has an even lower sulfur
content than the ultra low sulfur fuel recently mandated in the US.


They run a different cycle in Europe.

I've worked on vehicles to meet both the Europian and US certification
requirements. Europe is easier.

Where sulfur enters into things is that it fouls catalytic converters. By
eliminating the sulfur, converters can be used in the exhaust system to
reduce the amount of NOx and particulates, which are the two primary
pollutants from diesel engines.


Correct. The problem with NOx is that it is hard to reduce (de-oxidize) in
the presense of O2. Lean NOx catalysts just don't have the efficiency
required to meet the California standards. NOx traps require that you inject
fuel into the exhaust to reduce the stored NOx every few minutes.

Selective Catalytic Reduction using Urea injection should start showing up
in the US soon.

Now that we have low sulfur fuel, a number of European manufacturers
intend
to export their diesel car technology to the US. Expect to see new diesel
models that will even meet California standards, from companies like VW in
the new year.

You will be seeing stuff from a number of companies in the near future.

--
Geoff
The Sea Hawk at Wow Way d0t Com
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