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...
Way back in August, 2005 motoring.co.za reported how a Mercedes-Benz ML 320 CDI turbodiesel took on a Lexus RX 400h petrol/battery hybrid with a fuel consumption test across America from New York to San Francisco
The ML 320 CDI (165kW) returned an average fuel consumption of 7.62 litres/100km, the hybrid SUV (155kW) averaged 8.64 litres/100km.
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
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