Diesel engine for range extender (Harvester EREV)

[SentinelOne]

I vote diesel, an infrequently used range extender with sitting ethanol gas in it isn't key to reliability...can be overcome but usage frequency / ethanol wont help - diesel less of an issue unless then need to add cat pee system for emissions.

Or if the battery is small and need to rely on range extender more frequently then I suppose it'll use more fuel / more frequent running will help reliability - but I personally only want the engine running on long trips / towing, etc

 

[timmyhil]

I can see it being a possibilit, but not anytime soon.

 

[GarageMahal]

How about using refillable 20 pound propane tanks! Heck you could even carry a spare...

 

[GarageMahal]

Another plus for diesel is bio diesel... seems like a good post apocalypse vehicle. Fill up at any abandonded fast food place.

 

[A-A-Ron]

Diesel electric! Proven concept. Makes sense to me.

 

[Chuckles]

I would be surprised if a VW diesel appears in the USA post-Dieselgate.

 

[TallCanuck]

I would be surprised if a VW diesel appears in the USA post-Dieselgate.

Exactly that.

 

[4sallypat]

I would be surprised if a VW diesel appears in the USA post-Dieselgate.

Oh no, not another dieselgate scandal!

That was mess ever since VW was caught....

I am waiting to see what the class action settlement is for my BMW 335D and BMW X5-35D I owned....

 

[Tenacious_Nv8tor]

They might be ok be cause since the diesel would be used for driving the vehicle directly but for generating electricity it might be exempt from some emissions requirements. I'm thinking you could even use the dyed diesel. Edison motors founder talked about how he asked the government for his semi truck they are building that has a similar architecture.

 

[Yamapro]

I am a strong supporter of a diesel power plant but since they are stuck on EV then at least a Diesel generator. It will be more fuel efficient and reliable. If a DEF is required, no biggie I’ll just delete it. I personally applaud VW for skirting the dumb emissions regulations, just hate they were caught. How about just slapping an off road use only decal on it and calling it a day.

 

[DrumReaper]

If VW were smart they’d opt for a diesel “generator”, as we see how well that works in the locomotive industry.

As for the powerplant, VW could align with Caterpillar or another diesel engine producer that is North American, just to keep the “built in the USA” concept.

 

[DrumReaper]

I am a strong supporter of a diesel power plant but since they are stuck on EV then at least a Diesel generator. It will be more fuel efficient and reliable. If a DEF is required, no biggie I’ll just delete it. I personally applaud VW for skirting the dumb emissions regulations, just hate they were caught. How about just slapping an off road use only decal on it and calling it a day.

DEF… the biggest automotive scandal/fraud in recent history.

 

[Mousehunter]

fwiw - I recall reading that VW was developing EV with a a diesel generator about 10-15 years ago. I can not google anything about it anymore - all I can find is a traditional hybrid, not the electronic power train one - but I do remember it. I would laugh a lot if they pull this one back out for production.

Honestly - I would be far more temped to get the range extender if it was diesel.

 

[anestech*]

I would be surprised if a VW diesel appears in the USA post-Dieselgate.

This. Not gonna happen in the current emissions environment

 

[Lakesinai]

I vote diesel, an infrequently used range extender with sitting ethanol gas in it isn't key to reliability...can be overcome but usage frequency / ethanol wont help - diesel less of an issue unless then need to add cat pee system for emissions.

Or if the battery is small and need to rely on range extender more frequently then I suppose it'll use more fuel / more frequent running will help reliability - but I personally only want the engine running on long trips / towing, etc

Unfortunately, we don't know the specs yet, but the big problem with the range extender is that it reduces battery capacity by about half (% TBD). Because the space to install the range engine (and tank?) is coming from the space allocated for the battery. The net result is that the range extender engine will come on too much because there's less battery capacity, somewhat defeating the purpose of the battery! I wish that the pickup, at least, (Pickup has more under-bed space) had the full 350 mile battery AND a range extender, perhaps giving a 700 mile range for the vehicle! In the mean time, Scout Motors has been very vague on the size of the battery with range-extending Harvester, but 100-150 mile range before extender turns on is alot smaller than 350 miles in the non-Harvester version.