A mild diesel hybrid test vehicle being developed by Ricardo could become cost-effective in the near future. According to a review on EngineerLive, the mild hybrid, in which the engine always contributes to propulsion, can offer better returns than full hybrids, which shut off the engine at low speeds.
The Ricard "Imogen" uses a 2.0 liter diesel engine and NiMH battery from Saft and starter from Valeo, and because the vehicle uses lower cost batteries, the hybrid premium would be paid back in a few years.
Using a lower cost motor and batteries in combination with a diesel engine could offers fuel economy and reduced emissions for less than the price of a gasoline full hybrid. Diesel engines using the new low-sulfur fuel produce fewer emissions than their predecessors, and the durability and fuel economy are usually superior to gasoline engines.
Other companies developing mild hybrids include BMW, which will sell a version of its new X5 SUV, according to Edmunds, and DaimlerChrysler, which will put out an S-class mild hybrid in 2008.
Mild hybrids will give a slight performance and fuel efficiency boost to larger luxury vehicles, which is better than no hybrid technology at all.
