Why don't we have cars that run on both diesel and electricity?

General
1

So, trains mostly use diesel-electric power, which works well and is efficient. But why don’t we use this setup for cars on a big scale? Electric cars are good for short trips, and diesel cars are good for long ones, so it seems like they’d go together well. Why hasn’t this been tried yet?

2

Although diesel engines excel at generating torque at lower speeds, combining them with an electric motor can result in reduced efficiency. While both engines perform well at low velocities, significant engineering efforts would be required to maintain their effectiveness at higher speeds.

3

You’re right, diesel-electric trains are efficient and powerful, and there is some logic to combining diesel and electric for cars. Here’s why it’s not common despite the potential benefits:

  • Conversion losses: While efficient, every energy conversion (diesel to electricity to movement) introduces some loss. For trains, which tend to run at a more constant speed, these losses are less impactful. In cars with frequent stops and starts, those losses can negate some of the efficiency gains.
  • Cost and complexity: Adding both a diesel engine and electric motor system with batteries significantly increases the cost and complexity of the car compared to a standard gasoline engine.
  • Focus on simpler electric: The auto industry is heavily invested in developing battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) with a simpler design and potentially zero emissions. BEVs might be a more long-term solution, especially with improvements in battery range.
  • Diesel limitations: Diesel engines excel at sustained power output, but they aren’t ideal for the constant on-and-off cycles of city driving. This reduces their efficiency in cars compared to trains.
  • Emissions: While more efficient, diesels produce different pollutants than gasoline engines. In some areas with stricter emission regulations, diesels might not be a viable option.

There have been some experimental diesel-electric cars, but they haven’t gained widespread adoption for these reasons.
However, the future of transportation is still unfolding.
As technology advances and regulations evolve, there might be a space for more efficient diesel-electric vehicles or other hybrid options.

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