Through the clouds you could see forests and plains, lakes and cities that were finally replaced by the Atlantic Ocean, which spilled thousands of miles … After almost a day of transplants, inspections and, of course, flight, I most wanted only one thing - fresh air! After long hours of “artificial respiration” on board, you go out into the sunlight in Michigan and feel the slightest admixture in the air.
The USA has some of the most stringent toxicity standards in the world, especially California with its terrain unsuccessful for motorization (smog was easy to gather in the lowlands of Los Angeles). Like a catalyst, this state every time encourages manufacturers to make more and more “clean” cars, and legislators - to raise the bar for exhaust emission standards higher and higher. Oil is added to the fire and rising prices for what it is actually made from - oil. Indeed, air purity and profitability are interconnected things.
PLUS ELECTRIFICATION
Challenger No. 1 on the environmental podium - hybrid models. To paraphrase the classics, we can say: "The tops cannot yet, the lower classes already want to." A couple of years ago, manufacturers tirelessly convinced buyers that the combined power plants are reliable and can save a lot on fuel. The result of the propaganda exceeded all expectations: the leaders of the hybrid market Toyota and Honda can not cope with the demand for the extremely popular Prius and Civic Hybrid. In the near future, both companies intend to offer similar installations for almost any model as an option! Moreover, their advantages are not only in efficiency and concern for the environment, but also in improving dynamic performance. The most striking example is the hybrid Lexus RX 400h, which furnishes a gasoline sprint in the sprint (ЗР, 2006, No. 1).
Almost all the major manufacturers, even those who were previously skeptical, joined the race. "We did not take into account that many are ready to buy a hybrid, thereby demonstrating concern for the environment, " laments the vice president of General Motors Robert Lutz. Jill Lajzak, Head of Saturn: “We are sure that you don’t need to be rich in order to join the Greens camp.
General Motors is currently working on two types of hybrid units: the first option is for passenger cars, the second is for all-terrain vehicles and pickups. According to the company, the most affordable passenger cars will start at prices below $ 20, 000. Here, the electric motor is involved in all modes, providing fast acceleration and reducing fuel consumption by 20%.
The second type of system is a two-stage one: the hybrid switches to one of two modes - “city” or “highway”. In the first, only an electric motor works at low speeds, then the gasoline V8 “Vortek” enters. The engine with variable valve timing is equipped with a multi-cylinder shut-off function and is characterized by a high compression ratio. Fuel economy reaches 25%.
But there are, of course, problems - above all, of an economic nature. GM President Richard Wagoner confesses: “Today no one makes money on hybrids. If sales exceed the millionth mark, then we can throw profits on the development of new systems.” For this reason, General Motors joined forces with Daimler-Chrysler and BMW.
DIESELS BEGIN AND …
The "second front" is trying to open diesels that can take a slice of success from hybrid models. How strong is the competition? Since the 30s of the last century, diesel engines have dominated the US in the heavy truck segment. With passenger cars, the picture is different.
In the 70s, the same GM attempted to enter the market with diesel versions of the Cadillacs and Oldsmobiles, but they all failed. Having rejected the idea of their own engine development, they began to consider donor options offered by Volkswagen, Mercedes and BMW. But their units squeaked into the freshly accepted US environmental standards, and gasoline engines became more economical, rapidly overgrowing with electronics. The conquest of America did not take place.
Today, the combined Daimler-Chrysler concern, with the filing of its European component, is more than ever actively promoting diesel engines in the United States. The clearest example is the Mercedes-Benz GL with the Bluetech engine. The head of the concern called it the cleanest diesel engine in the world, which already now can meet the toxicity standards of 2008! These engines will soon appear under the hoods of "jeeps, " in particular the Grand Cherokee. Do not hide their intentions to promote the diesel theme "Ford", BMW, "Audi" …
It remains to solve only one small problem - and these motors may win the hearts of Americans. The point is fuel. To this day, the overseas diesel fuel contains sulfur, harmful to modern European motors. In accordance with the new standards, sulfur should disappear from the fuel from next year. So most European companies, especially BMWs, intend to wait for this landmark event and only then bring diesel modifications to the United States.
FRUITS OF REVOLUTIONS
The picture of the future is drawn as follows: until 2010, the hybrid car market in the United States will grow, according to various estimates, 4-5 times. The prospect of diesel engines is not so rosy. Now their sales volume is 3.4% of the total; by 2015, analysts predict a fourfold increase.
We are not talking about any large-scale introduction of fuel cells: this will require the creation of a powerful infrastructure throughout the country - processing plants, gas stations … In today's America, and Europe it is too tough. Even optimists say: fuel cells will not win the hearts of customers before 2020.
Of the immediate plans, the most realistic is for Ford, which seeks to fill the market with models operating on ethanol. In 2006, the company will sell about 250, 000 alcohol cars. In general, the US market in the coming years will remain at the mercy of gasoline engines. There is no reason to expect serious progress here - progress is on the path of evolution. Or maybe this is just the calm before the storm?
