Why are minibus taxis petrol and not diesel powered?

[pjjdp]

Most taxi's smoke like diesel ones in any case.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Diesel is more economical for long distances; not for the stop-start operations of taxis. Although, a diesel engine has more torque and produces it lower down, to haul the (m)asses.

well it's for the torque that I would have figured it would make a much better taxi.

Interesting you say it's not better for short distances. I asked that same question the other day here somewhere and was told the exact opposite.

 

[USZA]

well it's for the torque that I would have figured it would make a much better taxi.

Interesting you say it's not better for short distances. I asked that same question the other day here somewhere and was told the exact opposite.

Yeh, the torque is negated by the bad fuel economy.

Definitely not better for short distances. I drive a diesel so I should know.

 

[Ockie]

Yeh, the torque is negated by the bad fuel economy.

Definitely not better for short distances. I drive a diesel so I should know.

Propably cause you drive it like you stole it.

 

[USZA]

Propably cause you drive it like you stole it.

Because it was a steal

 

[MrGray]

Why aren't they LPG powered? In Asia and Australia most public transport seems to be gas powered. Why not here?

 

[Alton Turner Blackwood]

All the taxis in Cape Town are petrol, no exceptions.

LOL.

I had two diesels, most of the people I know opt for D4D engines nowadays.

 

[Beachless]

Why aren't they LPG powered? In Asia and Australia most public transport seems to be gas powered. Why not here?

I can envision the flame ball crashes already.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Yeh, the torque is negated by the bad fuel economy.

Definitely not better for short distances. I drive a diesel so I should know.

Yes but do you have an equal petrol to compare to?

My petrol is definitely not very economical over short distances. It's almost approaching double the economy it would if it only travelled 10km further every day.

 

[Ho3n3r]

Why does it matter to you?

 

[Nangi]

There are diesel Quantams. Been in a few. Petrol wins on long term running costs

 

[USZA]

Yes but do you have an equal petrol to compare to?

My petrol is definitely not very economical over short distances. It's almost approaching double the economy it would if it only travelled 10km further every day.

I suppose that any car would have bad economy over short distances because of several factors such as:
- not being driven long and far enough for the engine to heat up to optimum operating levels
- everytime you pull away, it takes more fuel to get the car going

So yeah, pretty much the same for diesels and petrols.

 

[TEXTILE GUY]

I reckon we do pedal power taxis ....

Good for the environment, slows them down, and keeps SA fit.

 

[Slootvreter]

Reliability. The way these guys drive, these engines won't last long. But yes, there are some Quantums around that are diesel powered.

 

[TheGuy]

London taxis are diesel so if petrol was more fuel efficient over short distances they would be petrol. Diesels are cheaper to maintain if you do lots of kms like taxis. I think the only reason is they are cheaper to buy initially

 

[Pearson6]

Around Jozi there are some LP Gas conversions around, on Main Reef road there is a service station that fills them with the gas and I think that they do the conversions on Mini busses free of charge

 

[Slootvreter]

London taxis are diesel so if petrol was more fuel efficient over short distances they would be petrol. Diesels are cheaper to maintain if you do lots of kms like taxis. I think the only reason is they are cheaper to buy initially

I am not so sure diesels are cheaper on maintenance. But IANAM.