It's official: Diesels greener than hybrids

Regular readers know that we are suckers for diesel over hybrids, but our inboxes were flooded with mails from non-believers that diesels are indeed greener than hybrids. Luckily, a UK site has now made the ultimate test.

Tests by environmental website Clean Green Cars have confirmed that current petrol/battery hybrids offer no significant CO2 advantage over an equivalent diesel of similar performance.

It's not new, but the extra information is valuable for people trying to make a rational decision about a diesel or hybrid purchase...

The test by CGC used three hybrids and three diesels in similar circumstances and the fuel consumption figures showed the diesels generally used less fuel - and therefore emitted less CO2 – than the hybrids.

Here's how it worked out (hybrids first):

Toyota Prius vs. Jeep Patriot 2.0 CRD
Toyota Prius - 7.1 litres/100km
Jeep Patriot - 7.29 litres/100km

Honda Civic vs. Ford Focus Econetic
Honda Civic IMA - 6.91 litres/100km
Ford Focus Econetic - 5.38 litres/100km

Lexus GS450h vs. BMW 535d
Lexus GS 450h - 9.96 litres/100km
BMW 535d - 9.27 litres/100km

The tests involved a return trip from central London to the south coast resort of Brighton through a mix of urban, dual-carriageway and motorway driving.

Jay Nagley, publisher of Clean Green Cars, said: "People may be surprised to learn that hybrids are no better in the real world than diesels but our tests confirmed what we had long suspected.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Hybrid, Diesel

Source: Motoring

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