Four simple tips for automakers to improve efficiency right now, not 2020
Popular Mechanics has published four simple tips automakers could apply now to improve car mileage. After contentious debate on Capitol Hill and lobbying from the industry, new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards will jump to 35 mpg for all cars and SUVs by 2020, up from the current 27.5 mpg for cars and 22.5 mpg for trucks.
The four tips given aren't rocket science and can be applied to current models - save for they would mean an increase in sales prices. Here they are:
- Reducing weight: Using more aluminium, carbon-fiber or plastic panels to reduce the dead mass that has to be propelled.
- Using better powerplants: The hydrogen-cell is not ready yet but hybrids and diesel are already available (and domestic automakers do have excellent diesel powertrains in Europe)
- Mounting low-resistance tires: It's a bit at the expense of handling, but it's available and it doesn't cost too much.
- More gears: CVT transmissions or 7 and 8-speed transmissions are ready. The lower the rpm are, the less gas the car burns.
- US Senate reaches compromise on energy bill including CAFE increase
- Kelley Blue Book studies gas-savings habits and announces top fuel-efficient picks
- Maine auto dealer has 11 dealerships, says customers want high-mpg vehicles. So where's Detroit?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
haqitman 2:22PM (6/24/2007)
I'll add one more: Use smaller, turbocharged engines. A 1.3-1.4 liter, intercooled, direct injected, four cylinder attached to a CVT with idle-stop would have the same performance envelope as a current 1.8 to 2.0 liter four and use at least 25% less fuel when driven in a conservative manner. Scale up and a larger turbo four could take the place of a lot of V6 engines in mid-sized cars. It will cost a little more to do this, but remember that Chrysler used this strategy during the 80s successfully to emerge from bankruptcy so it can't be that much. The technology exists. The will to employ it does not. It's unfortunate that it's going to require legisltation to get car makers to respond to customer demand for greater fuel efficiency. Free market???
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Chris 2:45PM (6/24/2007)
Also, although adding more gears helps, CVTs can increase fuel consumption as opposed to a conventional automatic, as in the Nissan Versa. I think it was due to increased parasitic loss.
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Mattias 2:59PM (6/24/2007)
#1: PSA-BMWs 1.6l turbocharged I4 has 175hp and lots of torque around 2000rpm. Just compare this to the 2.4l Dodge engine... Guess who wins?
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TX CHL Instructor 3:25PM (6/24/2007)
"The hydrogen-cell is not ready yet"
And if we are really lucky, it never will be.
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Ian Bruce 8:43PM (6/24/2007)
Just out of cusiosity, what vehicle does that panel belong to? Thanks.
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Ian Bruce 8:46PM (6/24/2007)
Found it... Honda Insight.
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MetroMPG.com 11:01PM (6/24/2007)
It's appropriate to show an Insight instrument cluster, because another obvious tip for improving efficiency is to focus more on aerodynamics.
There is *much* room for improvement in that regard in the vast majority of vehicles made today.
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Al Abut 11:26PM (6/24/2007)
From what I understand, there's an even simpler addition to cars that has an immediate impact - including a readout display of average mpg. It might sound silly but apparently can result in dramatic changes in driving habits because it taps into the urge to game the display for a high score.
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BC 11:31AM (6/25/2007)
I second #8's comment. As some may know, there is a software trick to enable an instanteous and average MPG display in some 2006+ Mazda3's. Higher trim levels include this feature, lower trim levels don't, but all you have to do is jiggle a few buttons the right way, and voila you do.
Since I enabled the "trip computer" and started paying attention to it, I've adjusted my driving to help improve the MPG, especially in urban driving.
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