Hi Guys, a big ask Please.
As I get older I am constantly asked for my opinions on Saving the planet, especially as we here in Normandy, France, have actively gone the sustainability route.
For us its Simplicity, Robustness and cost effectiveness with our Wind turbines, Solar Trackers, Photovoltaic panels, OzInverters, Passive House standards of insulation, minimal resources building techniques etc etc.
And we want to be a normal modern domestic dwelling and show what can be done with a normal House.
We have been at it now for over 15 years, with a lot of hard work and advice from good folk from around the World and assistance from World wide RE Forums like here on Fieldines. (thanks guys).
Because we do ! , folk in the wider community are starting to listen and ask.
Now with RE, Insulation, engineering, building etc, I feel reasonably confident in answering most questions.
However, actual Transportation from A to B is a mute subject as there is a lot of Hype and misinformation and marketing hype.
If I had the financial recourses then I would go for the humble electric Nissan Leaf, as its reasonable roomy inside, even for a couple of sheep, Good well tested Panasonic battery Cells, and its a well proven design. Would be nicer if it had a simple gearbox with neutral for drifting along when on a downward gradient. However for me personally I would get a second battery pack in the boot/trunk to give me that extra mileage.
Charging the battery for us would be done in the day time from our PV, hence the swap out with a second battery pack.
Here in Europe there is push from the government 'Fluffy Bunnies' to have a all Electric mode of Transportation as quick as possible , and at the present there are a few, 2 or 3, charging points in each local town.
Just think that if every household has to charge their car each night with 65Kw from the Grid, is there really sufficient local electrical infrastructure and generation to support every household drawing that kind of electrical Power.
Now, diesel engines and the 'Fluffy Bunny' hatred of diesel engines in Cars in Europe. And as that young 16 year old Greta says, there is some serious misinformation going on.
Sadly my own experiences of diesel engines is in the past with industrial engines, using vegetable recycled oil etc, and now my own 6 year old Toyota Avensis Diesel Car. And a few years ago making a test structure machine for the removal of particulates from diesel engines by creating an electrical field/corona around the each actual injector. ( I was asked to make the whole machine by a PHD student from Manchester in collaboration with a high tech company from Cambridge UK. Last I heard that the student got stiffed and the Cambridge company sold the patents rights for loads of money to a petroleum company who have sat on the concept).
So I am asking the bright sparks here for words of advice on modern day diesel engines in cars.
Could we go the Vegetable oil route? Pros and Cons?
My Toyota shows very low emissions each year when tested, so what's the issue. ?
Can we make the modern diesel engine more friendly. ?
Any advice would be most helpful.
Thank you.