Johnhav430

So Volvo wasn't crazy after all? This means that every model can be a hybrid or electric, not that there would be no more gasoline vehicles, correct? The keyword I picked up was "variants..."

https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/11/me...ineup-by-2022/

Sulu

There are a number of factors that are forcing automakers to electrify their drivetrains.

• Fuel consumption requirements keep getting lower in North America.
• Exhaust emission requirements are getting ever more stringent, especially in Europe, which up to now do not match American standards.
• Europe has been relying on diesel passenger cars to meet their fuel consumption and exhaust emission requirements but it is getting technologically difficult -- and therefore expensive -- to clean up diesel exhaust emissions to meet new standards.
• Large European cities are taking notice of the harm that diesel exhaust has caused, and banning diesel passenger vehicles from city centres. European cities (London, Paris) and countries (Germany) are planning to ban petroleum- (diesel AND gasoline) powered passenger cars outright within approximately 20 years.
• VW was caught cheating on their small diesel engines.
• Mazda, that has promised a SkyActivD diesel engine for North America for the longest period, still cannot produce one that easily (read cheaply) meets American emission requirements.
• As a result, diesel is dead, at least for passenger cars.
• The easiest option to replace the diesel engine in passenger cars is a gas-electric hybrid, at least in the interim, before fully electric vehicles become truly viable with new, and higher-capacity, quick-charging batteries come on line.

peteharvey

Good post Mr Sulu.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Volvo, AM, Maserati, Benz.. its a domino effect. Only a matter of time before the rest fall in line and make similar announcements.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

might be jumping the gun there just a bit. or basically wishful thinking.

i just drove hundreds of miles in a new diesel ford modeo (big fastback / hatch) in europe. it was smooth, quiet, very responsive, enormous driving range with about 48 miles to each imperial gallon (about 40 to u.s. gallon). i don't think it's quite dead yet as no doubt a hybrid or electric costs HUGELY more for much less capability.

in all those hundreds of miles i didn't see one tesla. i did see a few lexus rx that were all 450h's. also saw thousands of new or very recent audi, bmw, mercedes, range rover and other diesel and gasoline models. i saw a couple of other hybrids, one looked like a corolla (didn't catch the model).

i'd say we're 5-10 years from anything but a tiny niche adoption of electrics in europe, despite all the wishes of politicians and 'concerned' people - those usually who can afford to drive whatever they want, unlikely the vast majority.