December Progress Report on the Ideal Plug-In Hybrid Diesel-Electric Vehicle

More updates on the progress being made in the industry to produce my ideal plug-in hybrid diesel-electric vehicle (previous update here:

I've purchased a 1987 Mercedes 300TD Turbo Wagon to replace the Saturn in the interim between now and post-2010, when more advanced diesel-hybrids are expected to hit the U.S. Market. I plan on making some modifications to "Eleanor," as she has been named, which will allow her to run on either regular petro-diesel, biodiesel or straight vegetable oil, in any combination, in her main fuel tank -- as well as modifications to perhaps hydrogen-charge her engine for greater fuel efficiency, increased power and decreased emissions.

A British company has developed a diesel-hybrid 5-door compact that gets 45-88 mpg and tops 120mph.

Thanks to their recent purchase of a 5.9% stake in Isuzu, Toyota has announced plans to produce a diesel-hybrid subcompact for the Japanese market by 2010. No word yet on when a diesel-hybrid powerplant might make its way into the rest of their lineup.

More to come soon. :-)