Reply #29: One major technical obstacle [View All]

[Psephos]

is that diesels are extremely high-compression (they use the heat of compression, rather than a spark, to ignite the fuel).

Where a gasoline engine requires about 10:1 compression, a diesel requires 22:1 or more. To start a diesel requires a robust starter motor and a powerful jolt of electricity. This makes diesels less suited to hybrid applications, especially in mixed-use environments (urban driving) where the engine is started and stopped frequently.

Peace.