The automotive world continues to evolve rapidly, and at the forefront of this change is the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions. During the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Christian von Koenigsegg, founder of the eponymous high-performance car manufacturer, shared some intriguing perspectives on this topic. Amid the excitement of his brand’s Sadair’s Spear hypercar setting a new record for the fastest production car up the Goodwood hill, von Koenigsegg offered insights into the future of automotive powertrains.
In a discussion with CarBuzz, von Koenigsegg highlighted a unique approach to reducing automotive emissions that diverges from the current trend towards electric vehicles (EVs). While EVs are gaining popularity for short-distance travel, their practicality diminishes over long distances. Von Koenigsegg proposed that a diesel hybrid system might be a viable alternative to fully electric vehicles.
Diesel Hybrids: A Viable Alternative?
Von Koenigsegg argues that diesel hybrids could offer a more environmentally friendly solution than traditional EVs. He explained that a diesel hybrid vehicle could operate primarily on battery power for short trips, while a diesel engine fueled by renewable diesel could be employed for longer journeys. According to von Koenigsegg, this approach could significantly reduce the vehicle’s weight compared to a long-range EV, which typically requires a larger battery pack.
“A diesel hybrid would be amazing. If you’re not allowed to run diesel in the cities, it just turns off, and you have a pretty decent-sized battery. And for your once-in-a-while long trips, you run on HBO, which is renewable diesel. Let’s say 5% of your driving is on HBO. The rest is electric, and your car is 300 kilos (661 pounds) lighter than your normal EV that is long range because your battery is one-third. That’s much better for the environment, and no one is thinking about that.”
– Christian von Koenigsegg
Challenges Facing Diesel Hybrids
Despite the potential benefits, there are several reasons why diesel hybrids have not been widely adopted. The complexity and cost of integrating diesel engines with electric powertrains are significant challenges. Diesel engines are inherently more complex than their gasoline counterparts, and adding hybrid components increases this complexity. Additionally, diesel engines need to maintain a specific operating temperature to remain efficient, which can be difficult when the engine is only used intermittently.
Following the Dieselgate scandal, diesel technology has faced substantial scrutiny, particularly in the US. Manufacturers have largely avoided diesel hybrids, with only a few models ever reaching the market. However, von Koenigsegg believes that the environmental benefits of diesel hybrids could outweigh these challenges.
“It seems more complicated. But if you look from a mass perspective, it’s much less mass. It’s one battery pack. Well, yeah, it’s 7,000 cells connected in the battery pack – 7,000 parts. So, if that goes down to 2,000 and then you have a combustion engine and a fuel tank, and you run a renewable [diesel fuel], I would bet over 10 years that’s a lower environmental impact – as long as you don’t drive more than 5% [of the time on diesel].”
– Christian von Koenigsegg
As manufacturers continue to explore alternative powertrain solutions, some are revisiting the idea of range extenders. For instance, Ram is preparing to launch the 1500 REV, and Scout Motors plans to incorporate range extenders in its upcoming models. While diesel hybrids could be considered, the cost-effectiveness of using established gasoline engines as range extenders remains a deciding factor for many automakers.
Original Story at carbuzz.com