Management Communications

It has come apparent to this office that greenhouse gases are increasing to new levels. The temperatures of the earth are increasing, and the polar ice caps are melting. In response to this we are all challenged as leaders to quickly slowdown this increase. Since vehicles are the major contributor to greenhouse emissions, we need to change this source of pollution first. This is not an easy task, and there are many suggestions for a long term solution. Do we have the capability to utilize a car engine that will reduce pollution now?

I have a solution that will help us short term until we can build the infrastructure for a way to produce vehicles with ultra low emissions. Our counterparts in Europe are currently utilizing a new form of turbo diesel engine that not only burns cleaner than gas, but burns less fuel than a gasoline engine. They are utilizing a form of bio-diesel fuel that contains no sulfur (this is the agent in diesel fuel that makes high levels of NOx). These engines are so economical that they a producing results upwards of 90 mpg!

In reference to high mpg let me give a hypothetical example. The vehicle I will use is a Nissan Armada. The fuel rating for this monster SUV is 13 city, and 18 highway with a gasoline engine. If we were to retrofit this vehicle with an Audi 12 cylinder turbo diesel the vehicle would probably be in the range of 32 city, and 48 highway. . The vehicle would still retain the torque and horsepower need for towing, and hauling, something a hybrid vehicle could not accomplish.

We have to ask ourselves why turbo-diesel, and not hybrid. The answer is simple. Hybrid is too new of a technology, and has not been tested extensively. For all we know these vehicles currently being used could have inherent problems down the road. Additionally the savings realized from the use of a hybrid are not that significant. For example: A Toyota Prius under the new EPA mileage ratings gets about 51mpg on the freeway, with a significant savings in the city at 60mpg. However, this technology is not available for mass production on all types of vehicles, and would take decades to implement. Now let us compare