Why are all modern hybrid and plug in hybrid cars paired with gas engines rather than diesel engines? The diesel and hybrid pair seem like a great idea in theory.

Question

A lot of people see hybrids and plug in hybrids as a great middle ground between ICE and EV, so why not make a diesel hybrid. They can be used in a variety of vehicles, and can reduce the nox and particulate emissions diesels are known for. So why isn’t there a modern diesel hybrid being produced, at least as a passenger car?

In: Engineering

Answer 1

Gas engines are much simpler to build. Given that you want the gas engine in a hybrid to run as little as possible, the advantages in fuel consumption do not outweigh the added complexity.

Second reason: Diesel engines have good torque at low RPM. You don’t need that in a hybrid.

Third reason: those hybrids are designed as world cars. The US market hates diesel and thinks diesel is only for trucks – heavy trucks, not pickups which are so popular there.