Sorry Folks, VW Diesel Electric Hybrid Not Coming to US

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Diesel Hybrid Electric Golf Doesn’t Make it out of the Showroom

It looks like VW won’t be sending a diesel hybrid to the US after all. VW announced the 70 MPG diesel-hybrid electric Golf at the Geneva Motor Show, but turned around in the March 27 edition of Auto, Motor und Sport to say they wouldn’t be building the car because it would be “too expensive.”

I’m not sure how this story slipped under the radar (except that the magazine is written in German), but the VW hybrid Golf’s demise is unfortunate. Pairing a clean diesel engine with hybrid system seems like the best of both worlds (especially for biodiesel users), but we might just have to rely on Mercedes and their diesel-hybrid SUV for now.

For more on what the car would have been, see A Biodiesel Prius? VW To Release 69.9 MPG Diesel Hybrid.

More on the cancellation of the car:

Post Related to Hybrid Diesel Electric Cars:

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About Clayton B. Cornell

Clayton B. Cornell was formerly a professional blogger as Lead Writer for Gas 2.0, Important Media’s blog covering the future of sustainable transportation, and was covering biofuels and green car technology for Important Media (formerly GreenOptions.com) since the beginning of 2007. Before GO, Clayton ran the training program for one of the EPA’s largest public toxicology information libraries at Oregon State University, which was fulfilled under a $2-million Federal grant. He became a biodiesel enthusiast after experimenting with small-scale biodiesel production in OSU’s chemical engineering lab, and has extensive hands-on experience with diesel cars and trucks, including the practical use of biodiesel and straight-vegetable-oil (SVO) as alternative fuels. Clayton graduated from the University of Utah with honors, receiving a degree in Biology and Chemistry. On the side, Clayton likes to spend his time at the beach or in the mountains. He’s been a professional river-guide, amateur beer judge, and world traveler, and currently lives in San Francisco.

Comments

  1. Skye says:

    Dangit! It’s so cute, I wanted one.

  2. Skye says:

    Dangit! It’s so cute, I wanted one.

  3. Gavin Hudson says:

    Who killed the VW Hybrid Golf? Not as catchy a title. Still, a shame.

  4. Gavin Hudson says:

    Who killed the VW Hybrid Golf? Not as catchy a title. Still, a shame.

  5. 65below says:

    I wonder how much the oil companies paid VW not to produce the car.

  6. 65below says:

    I wonder how much the oil companies paid VW not to produce the car.

  7. Lazarre says:

    I wonder if the oil companies bought the technology from VW and/or buried it. What a shame. They say it’s too expensive to make. Uhhh…if everyone buys them and you eventually streamline the technology – you win! I believe this was done before…Can’t seem to put my finger on it..ahhh so, the JAPANESE!!! Proving they are smarter than VW and the US big three. (I am still praying for Ford.)

  8. Lazarre says:

    I wonder if the oil companies bought the technology from VW and/or buried it. What a shame. They say it’s too expensive to make. Uhhh…if everyone buys them and you eventually streamline the technology – you win! I believe this was done before…Can’t seem to put my finger on it..ahhh so, the JAPANESE!!! Proving they are smarter than VW and the US big three. (I am still praying for Ford.)

  9. Lazarre says:

    I wonder if the oil companies bought the technology from VW and/or buried it. What a shame. They say it’s too expensive to make. Uhhh…if everyone buys them and you eventually streamline the technology – you win! I believe this was done before…Can’t seem to put my finger on it..ahhh so, the JAPANESE!!! Proving they are smarter than VW and the US big three. (I am still praying for Ford.)

  10. Archarito says:

    With mass production of bio-diesel on the horizon, the hybrids on the highway – generally get worse fuel mileage.

    Battery technology with overheating lithium batteries – known for causing fires in laptops – is expensive and potentially dangerous.

  11. Archarito says:

    With mass production of bio-diesel on the horizon, the hybrids on the highway – generally get worse fuel mileage.

    Battery technology with overheating lithium batteries – known for causing fires in laptops – is expensive and potentially dangerous.

  12. sean coyle says:

    and I suppose gasoline is not Explosive?

  13. sean coyle says:

    and I suppose gasoline is not Explosive?

  14. sean coyle says:

    and I suppose gasoline is not Explosive?

  15. Fred says:

    Archie thinks that because he builds oil refineries, he knows all about fuels and battery technology too.

  16. Fred says:

    Archie thinks that because he builds oil refineries, he knows all about fuels and battery technology too.

  17. Mchase70 says:

    So let me get this straight, in a country that has promoted hybrids more than europe we now have the chance to see a diesel hybrid but of course its toooo economical. Why is this country making it not economically viable for VW to produce some of their turbo diesel models in the US due to the amount of money added to the cost of a particular model eg the TIguan (due to cetification being required in all 50 states, a mechanism just to slow down more economical cars from foreign competition)
    Typical of the bloody mindedness of the USA always holding back technology that saves tooo much gas
    Just blatant BS, if a regular VW turbo diesel gets certified and sold on american soil then why the hell cant a hybrid which produces less emissions be sold here ??
    Also consider this, VW is selling the Toureg as a gas hybrid. The powers that be are forcing us to burn a valuable natural resouce unecessarily that we need for producing other valuable materials such as rubber and plastic 2 major components of any car !!!!

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