Was perusing the Energy Department’s just released 2017 Fuel Economy Guide the other day and noticed a dearth of diesel cars. Other than Jaguar’s 5 diesel powered models which I don’t believe have even hit showrooms yet, there’s nothing listed. Just last year we had 24 models from BMW, Mercedes, GM, Fiat Chrysler, and even Rover to choose from, even after VW’s diesels were given the boot by the EPA.
It’s already an open secret shared by displeased customers that Mercedes has pulled it’s 2017 diesel lineup. With rumors suggesting that VW may not be the only emissions cheater circulating, have most all the diesel car makers pulled their offerings before they step deeper into the do-do? Or are the EPA and CARB giving them extra scrutiny before certification, like they did last year?
And here I was, happily ready to hand over the title to my ’13 TDI for what I paid for it, assuming that I’d just turn around and buy another, then diesel on in peace for another decade or so. Perhaps EPA and CARB think that if they deny me a diesel, I’ll give in and accept one of their limited range throwaway electric cars, or at least a throwaway hybrid? Sorry, but even with hybrids being rebated down to the price of their gas equivalents I’m not about to buy a car that will annoy me with “replace hybrid battery” warnings for over half it’s time in my possession. If I’m denied a diesel, the cost of fueling a gas car makes turning in my TDI vs. letting VW “fix” it a wash. And if the EPA and CARB refuse to approve a “fix”, maybe I’ll just have to drive my “dirty diesel” another couple decades…
And did I mention that I’ve got another TDI, a 2003? And if pushed, I ‘spose I could transplant the really dirty diesel out of my ’86 Golf into bodyshell that still has a full floor, then pull out a wrench and screwdriver and crank the injection pump up to “coal roller” setting…
GearheadGrrrl 
” I’m not about to buy a car that will annoy me with “replace hybrid battery” warnings for over half it’s time in my possession.” — Learn how to fix a traction battery.
I qualified as a tech before I left the Postal Service, and I’ve built up battery packs from cells before. But building up several hundred volt li-on packs of packs is a bit beyond that- You’re dealing with high voltages unless you’ve assured that every cell is totally discharged, and you’ve got a bunch of other concerns like cooling and sensors to deal with. It’s basically working with hazmat and maybe high voltage too, which is why the manufacturers don’t want us messing with their batteries.
And after all that hassle, all you’re doing is replacing the cells that have failed first, and the ones you decide are “good” will probably need replacing in another year or three. And good luck finding replacement cells- Most of the ones you find on the market that fit are ones rejected by the OEM.
This is the reality of “rebuilding” hybrid and BEV battery packs- for a slightly lower price, you’re only getting a couple years more service out of the battery pack. Last I heard a Volt battery pack is around $3k, unfortunately at the Volt’s horrendous rate of depreciation that’s more than most volts will be worth by the time they need a battery.