An inside source at a fuel company tells me that American refineries that reach their end of life are now being replaced (upgraded?) from gasoline to new non-sulphur diesel production using hydrocracking. They tend not to build new ones (last construction was 1979). So a big shift in US diesel production is expected — from … Continue reading US Finally Switching to Diesel →

Volvo has updated their announcement: expect a 125 mpg hybrid wagon with a 745 mile range and all wheel drive (diesel front, electric rear) to be available as soon as 2012 in Europe. It will debut at the Geneva car show. The V60 PHEV has three main modes of operation: hybrid, all-electric, and power. The … Continue reading Volvo V60 Diesel Hybrid by 2012 →

The San Francisco Chronicle has posted a poorly researched story called “62 mpg being talked about as new standard for 2025“. It gives a very one-sided perspective: The government already has said automakers’ fleets must average 35.5 miles per gallon of gas by 2016 – up from 27.3 right now – but 62 would change … Continue reading Diesels today already meet 2025 standards →

A group of security experts recently mentioned to me that the Oil-producing countries are all well-aware that their resources are limited. They explained this in terms of Iran’s urge to develop nuclear power. Whether or not you accept that argument, it makes a fitting backdrop to VW’s decision to announce a super-efficient fuel-economy concept car … Continue reading VW XL1 Diesel Claims 261mpg →