[bailyhill]

Hello

BMW is starting to offer the PHEV X5 40e and it seems like the X3 30e is in the plans as well as the X1 20e. Why are none of these using diesel engines for the US? Seems like a no brainer to maximize the mpg and the fun. I think Volvo offered the V60 in diesel hybrid but only in UK/Europe and they underestimated the demand by 5x. Wonder what is going on here?

Sin_Gas

BTW own 2 diesels myself and love them.

[MichiganMike]

The article at the link below addresses your question.
http://www.torquenews.com/1083/why-a...el-hybrid-cars

Note that this linked article does not mention the VW diesel emissions scandal that arose after the above article was issued. The VW scandal may further limit the appeal of a hybrid using a small diesel engine in the US.

[brissim]

Irrespective of the VW emissions scandal, car makers were already moving away from diesel PHEVs due to a number of issues raised in MM's linked article. But I think the main reason is the future with the Euro 7 standards coming (for Europe) in 2020. Its my understanding this means Europe moving into line with the current much tighter (compared with Euro 6) US/Californian diesel emissions standards. Its the extra cost of compiling with the tougher standards for even hybrid/diesel with - again my understanding - that they would still require Adblue urea injection systems to cover the times the cars are running on the diesel engine alone.

Volvo have been selling their diesel PHEV V60 D6 (a 2.4l 5-cylinder D5 diesel engine combined with electric motor & batteries) in select European markets for a couple of years now. But now even Volvo are moving away from diesel to petrol/gas PHEVs. The T8 versions of their new 90 series Volvos consist of a T6 petrol engine (a 2.0l supercharged & turbocharged 4-cylinder engine) coupled with a motor. I remember reading somewhere that Volvo had stated all future PHEVs for their coming next generation 40 & 60 series vehicles will also be petrol/gas rather than a diesel engine.

Tony

[MichiganMike]

As Tony suggested, diesel emission control regulations are becoming increasingly stringent in Europe. One article suggested this could add up to 3000 Euros to the cost of the car. The cost of a hybrid system combined with diesel emission control systems may make such a vehicle that much less competitive in pricing relative to alternatives.

https://www.theguardian.com/business...clining-demand

Other sources have forecast a dimming future for diesel engines in light-duty vehicles.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/09/bu...cars.html?_r=1

Also consider that in the case of a hybrid, the battery pack often adds significant weight. Using a diesel engine in a hybrid vehicle, as opposed to a gas engine, also adds an additional weight penalty for the engine itself. With stringent emission controls there will likely be additional weight added and space required for urea-based or other emission controls. A diesel hybrid may be at a significant disadvantage in weight and space efficiency, as well as pricing.

In view of these disadvantages, the market for a diesel hybrid may be perceived to be too limited to support the associated development, production and regulatory costs.