Chrysler going green?

WhenISayJump · 02-26-08, 04:27

What do you guys think of Chrysler going green (biofuel and flexfuel)with some of there vehicles like the Chrysler Sebring or like the Dodge Ram ?

RTexasF · 02-26-08, 04:41

Zowie, I'm not impressed.

a.k.a. Patrick · 02-26-08, 10:00

Get use to it, its going to happen folks, it really has to......I have a CNG (compressed natural gas) Chevy 2500 at work that really has some power, but lacks a little in overall single tank mileage. Ive been driving a CNG truck for about 7 years now, and the technology has come a long way. Went from a Ford F250 to the Chevy 2500 and theres quite a difference.
I also own a Ford FlexFuel which my son drives ('00 Taurus).

paul34 · 02-26-08, 11:52

Neither are really "green" technologies unless we're talking biodiesel here...

Josh Brown · 02-27-08, 12:51

I don't post to often but I'll put in my thoughts because it's an important topic...

Automakers should choose a common fuel and work together to further research into that field. Personally, I don't think car makers should vary into the different subfields such as biodiesel or ethanol. Ironically, it'll create a temporary stalemate of too many independent fuel choices ultimately shaving years off necessary research of a long-term fuel solution.

Either 100% electric or my favorite, Hydrogen. Anything else is spinning our wheels...

Sorry, I like this subject...feel free to disagree (honestly!),
Josh Brown

Mark77 · 02-27-08, 02:25

Josh Brown, have you heard of methanol as a fuel instead of ethanol? I read about it and it seems to make more sense to me. Can be made from wood instead of food(corn). I just wonder why no one really talks about it?

jswift2000 · 02-27-08, 05:30

Hydrogen is a clean fuel but the energy required to make hydrogen isn't very green. I agree bio fuel is the way to go and that car companies should work together to develop the next fuel. Too bad the govt isn't more concerned. I her carb is trying to push 44 mpg by 2020. That would be great but it may already be too late.

Morris9982 · 02-27-08, 09:09

Part of the reason car makers are producing flex-fuel type vehicles are that they get CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) credits for those vehicles.

My understanding is that the fleet average fuel economy has to meet a certain minimum (I can't remember the number right now). If they sell a flex-fuel vehicle, they get to use a higher mileage number for that vehicle, even though it will probably get less mileage using something like E-85 fuel.

The credits they get for selling flex-fuel vehicles increases their CAFE calculations and prevent them from having to pay fines. That leaves them free to sell more low mileage/higher profit vehicles, like pick up trucks and large SUV's.

Maybe that is why they are starting to switch. GM has been doing this for a while and all the car magazines seem to think the only reason is the CAFE numbers. Most people that buy the flex-fuel vehicles continue to use gas because E-85 is just not available.

sspeer · 02-27-08, 09:19

Methanol's big hangup is that it's toxic (not that I'd be drinking gasoline)

I don't think E85 is worthwhile long term unless they can make it in large quantities from biomass instead of corn..which is good for farmers, but is really driving up prices in the food market..everything from eggs to milk to meat

I don't like that the government is really pushing Ethanol (can you say special interests and pandering instead of long term sustainability?)..I'd rather see incentives for 'non gasoline' and let the best solution win

jswift2000 · 02-27-08, 09:58

Something else to add - Honda accounced a way to capture the exhaust energy, turning a small percentage into electricity. Its still very early but a different approach.

Temple of VTEC Rumors and News - Party Like it's 1899: Honda Researches Steam Hybrids

WhenISayJump · 02-27-08, 11:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by jswift2000

Something else to add - Honda accounced a way to capture the exhaust energy, turning a small percentage into electricity. Its still very early but a different approach.

Temple of VTEC Rumors and News - Party Like it's 1899: Honda Researches Steam Hybrids

sounds like everyone is doing it. There even having a certified Chrysler green Dealership that is currently under construction in Florida, which they are spending 3 billiion in new fuel efficiency and technology.

a.k.a. Patrick you said you have a flex fuel vehicles how do you like or do you even use the E85

paul34 · 02-27-08, 08:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by sspeer

Methanol's big hangup is that it's toxic (not that I'd be drinking gasoline)

I don't think E85 is worthwhile long term unless they can make it in large quantities from biomass instead of corn..which is good for farmers, but is really driving up prices in the food market..everything from eggs to milk to meat

I don't like that the government is really pushing Ethanol (can you say special interests and pandering instead of long term sustainability?)..I'd rather see incentives for 'non gasoline' and let the best solution win

Not to mention the clearing of forests to grow fields of corn or switchgrass or whatever... I'd rather have a forest and oil drill than a large, fertilized field with lots of diesel machines and few large trees.

I think people lose sight of the big picture when it comes to the whole alternative fuels craze.