1139 km on just one tank in a Jetta TDI Clean Diesel: interview with Mike Velemirovich

November 6, 2008 -- Filed under Technology by Normand Miron

A few days ago, Mike Velemirovich (Mike V to his loved ones), owner of Hillcrest VW in Halifax, set off on a “road trip” of 1,276 km in 11.5 hours with a Jetta TDI Clean Diesel to attend a hockey game at Bell Centre. That night, we didn’t have the time to talk, but Mike was nice enough to respond to this interview by e-mail.

Normand: First of all, bravo, Mike! An 11.5 hour journey in one shot, that’s something. What time did you leave Halifax?

Mike: 4:57Am, Halifax time (3:57 Mtl, obviously). The tank went 1139KMs (1109 on the trip odometer with 30 KMs remaining in the tank). We should note that the car was essentially brand new with barely 1000KMs…. basically fresh out of the showroom. Once broken in, the efficiency will improve. According to the on-board computer, the driving time, or more accurately, the time the engine was on, was 11-hours, 37-minutes, so that’s an average of 95 kph…. VERY realistic, given a couple of stop lights in Rivière-du-Loup, a few stops and construction.

N: They say that you filled up the Jetta with biodiesel. Is this true? What type of biodiesel? Where did you get it?

M: I filled with biodiesel in a B5 blend that was donated by Wilson’s Fuels. They have been supplying Halifax with fuels of various types for eight generations and are now one of the largest independent fuel marketers in Canada. The fuel is commercial grade that meets ASTM standards and is made here in NS from fish based by-product material in nutricutal production. VWC is a full member of the CRFA, Canadian Renewable Fuel Association, which advocates for the adoption of renewable fuels such as biodiesel. In fact, VWAG has minority stakes in renewable fuel corporations such as Iogen and Choren. Earlier this year the federal government approved a renewable fuel standard for ethanol and biodiesel. In short, biodiesel is no longer just the hobby of environmentalists, but the stuff of serious corporate investment.

N: How many coffees, energy drinks, pee breaks…

M: 2-coffees, 3-Red Bull and 5-bio breaks

N: How was the “road trip”, considering that what we’re talking about here is 11.5 hours in the driver’s seat?

M: I always believed the notion that in order to stay awake, you should crank up your speed. The fact of the matter is that slower speeds actually reduce stress which reserves energy. The downside? I only passed 6-vehicles all day. The car’s ride is very solid and easy to manage on the highway. The seats are the greatest benefit – absolutely no back strain or cramping!

N: When the alarm clock rang that morning, honestly, did you not consider canceling the trip?

M: My son plays competative hockey at the bantam level and had a game the prior night. I didn’t get to bed until 12:00…. 4-hours sleep is NOT recomended preparartion for an all-day drive…..see above comment on Red Bull

N: The three most beautiful views between Halifax and Montreal?

M: You mean second to the giant red Canadiens logo on the Bell Centre??? I would say the endless rolling hills of trees that reminded me that the three provinces through which I travelled have much more in common than they do in opposition. It struck me that I was travelling the same route as Europeans settlers 400 years ago. Theirs was a thirty eight year trek between founding settling Halifax in 1604 and Montreal in 1642. My trek was just a half day. Of course my romantic reflection was shattered by someone on the Howard Stern show passing wind

N: I slightly suspect the response, but what is your spontaneous feedback on the road handling of the Jetta TDI Clean Diesel?

M: Comfortable. Solid. Responsive. But then like you said I’m a wee bit biased

N: Was this your longest road trip as driver?

M: It was my personal best by a mile…. actually by over 700 KMs.

N: Would you do it again if the Canadiens make the playoffs?

M: Ah, geez, why did you have challenge me like that?? Ok, if…. I mean WHEN Montreal goes to finals, I will redo the the drive

N: Not “if” but “when”, excellent answer! Just because of the partisan optimism of your response, I exonerate you from having to redo the trip a second time, but of course you are welcome at any time to visit Montreal! Mike, we call you the green car dealer, which may at first appear to be incongruous. Why this interest in sustainable development? And especially, how can a car dealer contribute to helping the environment?

M: Usually questions that begin with “why” require at least a thousand words….. l’ll try to use fewer My family has been in the car business for almost 30 years – a whole generation. I was struck by how much our world has changed in the last generation. I realized that my family was responsible for introducing over 10,000 cars to Canadian roads – quite an impact. I challenged myself to find out, if we could reduce our impact while maintaining the business. Could we integrate economic sustainability with environmental sustainability? Turns out car dealers can do a lot to help the environment AND the other two reasons for sustainability: reducing risk in energy security and managing rising energy costs. Things like alternative – I prefer to use the word “future” – fuels like biodiesel and ethanol. Dealers can also advocate for efficient powertrains like electrics. In the short term we can promote improved use of the 18-million cars currently on the road in Canada. Things like maintenance and my favorite, slower speeds.

N: In your opinion, will diesel remain a marginal market or will we see the current popularity continue to grow in the next few years?

M: Diesel engines are in about 50% of Europeans cars, but less than 3% of North American cars. The rising cost of fuel is driving people toward efficient powertrains in NA. Diesel represents a 30% step function fuel efficency improvement, so YES, the diesel market will grow. JD Power recently stated that upwards of 15% of North American cars will be diesel by 2017. Honda, Toyota, Kia and other manufacturers have diesel models due to be released in the next couple of years. The capacity to refine diesel fuel needs expansion to meet diesel demand in NA and from what I hear from my friends in the petroleum industry, that capacity is in the works.

N: One last question, the most important. How was the Canadiens game?

M: How could a hockey game be any better? The Habs won in a shootout after five-minutes of four on four overtime that was played at a feverish pace. The Canadiens’ power plays were amazing with Kovalev performing his magic on the right side. In fact at one point in the third, Kovalev was streaking down the right lane with two Canes hanging off him. At the right hash mark, he pulled a spin-o-rama at full speed and tried to jam in a back hander. The crowd roared as loudly as for any goal at the shear spectacle of bravery and skill. My favorite moment was when Alex Tanguay, who played his junior career with the Halifax Mooseheads, earned a penalty shot and made no mistake going midway up the inside of the left post.

N: Thank you Mike. Always a pleasure to talk cars, the environment and hockey with you. Na na naaa naaa, hey hey, talk to you soon!

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