|
Alrighty - wow.
Wasn't trying to make a statement or threaten gas cars. Just a discussion topic. Looks like I hit some raw nerves.
I have owned 4 BMWs and 4 Minis and currently have a Mini (which seems to have inherited the good and bad points of BMW products). I guess for completeness as to the forum, I have also owned 2 VWs, and 1 Saab. I have worked on many Porsches, both as a hobby and as engineering on projects for Stuttgart.
I'm not sure any engineering facts are wanted here, but:
84MPG on diesel in terms of efficiency is 84 miles for 39kWh of energy (for Diesel #2, for B20 it's more like 37kWh).
My electric goes 100 miles on 24kWh. So the efficiency is .46kWh per mile diesel vs. .24kWh per mile electric.
And as others have stated, I've never gotten that kind of economy out of a modern turbo diesel - more like 50MPG from Germany's finest.
What I am curious about is that electric motors are so efficient that it may make sense to replace the transmission on a gas car with a electric motor. The IC engine could then be run at it's highest efficiency point into a generator. Kind of like why locomotives are diesel electric. With Audi race cars approaching this type of construction it may happen on a road car sooner rather than later. I understand the 2 motors in a Tesla P85D together barely weigh 200 lbs. The 6 speed transmission in my Cobra replica weighed 130lbs. and to be fair, you would have to throw in the driveshaft and part of the diff for a comparison.
Alright - I'm sorry I brought the subject up...
Carl
|