Fuel Efficient Cars? hmm...

In 1975 the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards resulted in vehicle weight reduction which in return caused about 2,000 additional deaths. The goal was to get more miles pre gallon, as we later discovered, at a great cost. Since 1980s the combined average for cars and light trucks was about 25 miles per gallon. With the gas prices significantly raising the U.S. senate proposed some alternate solutions. In order to keep driving affordable there are some laws being passed, encouraging the use of the most current technology to increase fuel efficiency.

The goal is to reach an overall average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020 without sacrificing safety. Defining vehicle class would eventually result in discouraging the automakers from shrinking cars to enhance fuel economy. The solution here is to use lighter, high-strength materials in auto frames and bodies, which would decrease the car weight without forcing manufacturers to build smaller cars.

Another way to gain about 40-50% percent efficiency is by using currently available and used technologies. Some car engines already have variable valve lift and timing, which provides greater control over the flow of air into and out of the combustion chamber; until now it was only used to get more horsepower, but it can be also applied to increase fuel economy.

I think that there are numerous alternatives to the current technology used in car building. It is just a matter of research and motivation. I think the car makers are not living up to our current needs and the government has to do something to encourage them to fix this problem. I am a driver myself and the one part I don’t like about driving is when I have to go to a gas station; for one simple reason: the gas prices are ridiculously high.

Read more about Hybrid-Electric Vehicles here.