fuel economy Archives – The Green Optimistic

People Respond to Price When It Comes to Fuel Economy

Nicholas Say — Sat, 28 Jan 2017 08:43:14 +0000

It would appear that drivers in The United States are influenced far more by simple economics than concerns for the environment when it comes to burning less gas. In a recent study market research firm MaritzCX reported that car buyers became conscious of fuel economy only when gasoline was selling for more than 3 dollars […]

The post People Respond to Price When It Comes to Fuel Economy appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Chevy Volt Hypermilers Rejoice, 2016 Volt Offers 53 Miles Emissions-Free!

Benji Jerew — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 16:10:58 +0000

General Motors asked what Chevy Volt owners wanted more of, and the overwhelming response was “more range!” With the introduction of the 2016 Chevy Volt, everything is better, particularly range and fuel economy. First, General Motors upgraded the 17.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack to 18.4 kWh. According to EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) estimates, this gives […]

The post Chevy Volt Hypermilers Rejoice, 2016 Volt Offers 53 Miles Emissions-Free! appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid – It’s About Time, I Say!

Benji Jerew — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 16:35:38 +0000

It seems kind of surprising to me that I can finally say this, but Toyota has finally released the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, unveiled at the New York International Auto Show. It’s about time, I say, and for a number of good reasons. With the Toyota RAV4 and hybrid vehicle technology, Toyota practically invented two segments […]

The post 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid – It’s About Time, I Say! appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Ford Fuel Economy Will be Won by Carbon Fiber, not Aluminum

Benji Jerew — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 20:16:48 +0000

With the introduction of the new Ford F-150 and its lighter aluminum body work, many had come to the conclusion that Ford would introduce aluminum across the lineup to improve fuel economy. Not so, says Ford Motor Company executive Joe Hinrichs. While the adoption of aluminum body panels does shave some 700 pounds off the […]

The post Ford Fuel Economy Will be Won by Carbon Fiber, not Aluminum appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

New Software Could Improve Conventional Vehicle Fuel Economy by 15%

Benji Jerew — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 16:41:28 +0000

Mechanically-speaking, the internal combustion has changed little in the last century, refinements enabling more power and better fuel economy, but there are limits. The first electronic controls on internal combustion engines appeared some forty years ago, tuning for more refined spark delivery, better power output, better fuel economy, and fewer emissions. Fast-forward forty years, and […]

The post New Software Could Improve Conventional Vehicle Fuel Economy by 15% appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Tesla Motors vs Falling Gasoline Prices – This Won’t Hurt a Bit

Benji Jerew — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 18:27:25 +0000

We have a question for all buyers of Tesla Motors and Toyota Prius high-efficiency vehicles: “Why did you buy your electric vehicle or hybrid electric vehicle?” There seems to be two schools of thought on this. One might say that people buy these cars because they are better for the environment. Tesla Motors, for example, […]

The post Tesla Motors vs Falling Gasoline Prices – This Won’t Hurt a Bit appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

2015 Volvo XC90 T8 – World’s Best High-MPG Performance SUV

Benji Jerew — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 01:15:36 +0000

The 2015 Volvo XC90 T8 is a one-of-a-kind sport utility vehicle (SUV), with space for up to seven passengers and sports car performance, and fuel economy rivalling even compact cars! Usually, here at The Green Optimistic, we look with disdain on sport utility vehicles, especially when people get excited that the latest version gets an […]

The post 2015 Volvo XC90 T8 – World’s Best High-MPG Performance SUV appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Europe Needs to Update Fuel Economy Test Cycles

Benji Jerew — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 17:10:30 +0000

Times, “they are a-changin’ but, at least according to some independent testing agencies, environmental regulations, such as those that govern transportation fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions, aren’t keeping up with them. Fuel economy measurements are a big part of marketing green cars. Recently, Toyota announced pricing on the Toyota Prius c, which has the […]

The post Europe Needs to Update Fuel Economy Test Cycles appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Hybrid Vehicle Fuel Economy without Electrification? – Namikoshi Electronics

Benji Jerew — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 18:00:17 +0000

Improving fuel economy can be done in a number of ways, not all of which require electrification. The internal combustion engine (ICE), although over one hundred years in the making, is woefully inefficient when it comes to converting the stored energy in a fuel into usable energy. Even the best engines are a mere 25-30% […]

The post Hybrid Vehicle Fuel Economy without Electrification? – Namikoshi Electronics appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Electric Vehicles Top Best Fuel Economy Charts – Well, duh!

Benji Jerew — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 18:15:33 +0000

Considering that a gallon of gas has the equivalent energy of 33.7 kWh of electricity, this makes it fairly easy to compare fuel economy of different vehicles, in spite of the fact they may use entirely different fuels. Whereas convention vehicles have been, for decades, ranked their fuel economy in miles per gallon, it may […]

The post Electric Vehicles Top Best Fuel Economy Charts – Well, duh! appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

CAFE Fail – Lexus NX to be Classified as a Light Truck

Benji Jerew — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 18:02:33 +0000

United States EPA CAFE (Environmental Protection Agency Corporate Average Fuel Economy) regulations are intended to keep automakers improving the average fuel economy of the US light vehicle fleet, but there are loopholes. Averaged in with the rest of Lexus’ offerings, the Lexus NX could contribute, for better or for worse, to Lexus’ CAFE rating. For […]

The post CAFE Fail – Lexus NX to be Classified as a Light Truck appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell Vehicle Gets “Up To” 80 MPGe

Benji Jerew — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 18:43:36 +0000

Instead of calling it the Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell, they’re calling it the Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell, which is pretty much the same thing, except for those nasty gasoline emissions. According to the United States Hyundai website, the Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell was to be sold in early 2014, and only in Southern California. Of […]

The post Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell Vehicle Gets “Up To” 80 MPGe appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Audi Introduces Fuel Economy Boosting Fiberglass Springs

Benji Jerew — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 02:15:33 +0000

The overall performance and fuel economy of any vehicle is determined by the complex interaction of engine power, aerodynamics, weight, and drag, among other things, and automakers are continually looking for ways to tweak these. When it comes to weight, however, there are special considerations. Typically, weight and safety are at odds, heavier vehicles being […]

The post Audi Introduces Fuel Economy Boosting Fiberglass Springs appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Fourth-Generation Toyota Prius Delayed Until December 2015

Benji Jerew — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 17:22:53 +0000

Toyota Prius started the hybrid vehicle revolution alongside Honda Insight nearly twenty years ago, continuously improving power and fuel economy. The fourth-generation Toyota Prius, slated for Spring 2015 production, has been delayed six months, until December 2015, with the Prius Plug-In coming a year later. While Toyota itself hasn’t clarified the exact reasons, it’s most-likely […]

The post Fourth-Generation Toyota Prius Delayed Until December 2015 appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Vehicle Fuel Economy Could be Improved by 3D-Printed Composites

Benji Jerew — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 15:38:03 +0000

Lightweight and strong natural design, as found in balsa wood, has been replicated in the lab, and could improve vehicle fuel economy, in addition to other applications. Hollow-core construction, the same natural design found in avian bones, also enables man-made flight and lighter and safer cars. Balsa wood, 95% of which comes from Ecuador, is […]

The post Vehicle Fuel Economy Could be Improved by 3D-Printed Composites appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

How Small Engine Turbo Improves Fuel Economy

Benji Jerew — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 13:06:52 +0000

Typically, even a low-boost small engine turbo can deliver 25% more power than its non-boosted sister. That means that even a tiny turbocharged i3 can perform just as well as a large i4, or a small supercharged i4 can outperform a V6 or V8. It may seem obvious that, to improve fuel economy, you reduce […]

The post How Small Engine Turbo Improves Fuel Economy appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Silicon Carbide Semiconductor Reduces Hybrid Vehicle System Size

Benji Jerew — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 15:18:12 +0000

Toyota is the undisputed leader in the hybrid vehicle market, accounting for some 75% of all hybrid vehicles sold on the planet, and is constantly improving its technology. One example of this, reflected in the Toyota Prius alone, is the improvement in fuel economy over the years. Toyota hybrid vehicles have exhibited steady improvement in […]

The post Silicon Carbide Semiconductor Reduces Hybrid Vehicle System Size appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Fuel Economy Could be Improved by Renewable Bamboo Composite

Benji Jerew — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 14:47:06 +0000

As automakers strive to improve the fuel economy of the vehicle fleet, a number of methods, from more-efficient powertrains to lightweight materials, have been applied. Lightweight vehicle construction materials, such as aluminum, magnesium, and CFRP (carbon-fiber reinforced plastic), help to reduce weight and increase performance. Crystalline filaments of carbon embedded in resin, otherwise known as […]

The post Fuel Economy Could be Improved by Renewable Bamboo Composite appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Tesla Model S is Deceptively Slippery

Benji Jerew — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 14:32:03 +0000

One of the main factors that affects automobile fuel economy and emissions is aerodynamic drag. In a recent test between four fuel-efficient cars, the Tesla Model S beat them all. Automobile design changes drastically, depending on which ear you look at. Do you recall the sexy curves of the 1930s and 1940s, the jet-inspired designs […]

The post Tesla Model S is Deceptively Slippery appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Volkswagen Ten-Speed To Deliver Better Fuel Economy

Benji Jerew — Tue, 20 May 2014 19:18:39 +0000

Automakers are tackling fuel economy in every way imaginable. Today, we’re talking about Volkswagen’s new ten-speed transmission. The world’s first production-vehicle, Mercedes-Benz’s 1885 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, was graced with a single-speed transmission and a belt-clutch, but not much more. Of course, at something like 0.9 hp, this was all that was necessary to get the Motorwagen […]

The post Volkswagen Ten-Speed To Deliver Better Fuel Economy appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Corvette Reaches Fuel Economy High – Still a Dinosaur Suckling

Benji Jerew — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 14:50:06 +0000

As with most sports cars, such as the Corvette Stingray, fuel economy isn’t one of their strong suits, but Americans and their muscle cars seem to be inseparable. The 2015 Corvette Stingray will still come with the standard seven-speed manual transmission, which many prefer for driving pleasure, but the optional six-speed automatic transmission of yesteryear […]

The post Corvette Reaches Fuel Economy High – Still a Dinosaur Suckling appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Audi Increases Fuel Economy by Monitoring Traffic Lights

Benji Jerew — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 16:09:48 +0000

How you drive has just as much impact on your fuel economy as what you drive, and Audi Traffic Light Recognition could help drivers save even more. Today’s automobiles, whether conventional or electrified, are delivering better fuel economy every year. In fact, the average fuel economy in the United States hit an all-time high fuel […]

The post Audi Increases Fuel Economy by Monitoring Traffic Lights appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

President Obama Announces Fuel Economy Standards for Heavy Truck Fleet

Benji Jerew — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 16:13:38 +0000

United States President Barack Obama has a few more things to do before he leaves office in 2016, one of which is continuing fuel economy reforms to reduce emissions and petroleum imports. Container ships and cargo trains may be the first two steps in the logistics of the United States, but the heavy duty truck […]

The post President Obama Announces Fuel Economy Standards for Heavy Truck Fleet appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Fleet Fuel Economy Improved by UPS’ “No Left Turn” Rule

Benji Jerew — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 16:54:49 +0000

The next time you see a brown UPS delivery van in your area making a right turn, he might actually be making a left, and improving fuel economy at the same time. No, the right-turn left-turn confusion isn’t some space-time equation gone awry, but a simple discovery made by UPS (United Parcel Service) more than […]

The post Fleet Fuel Economy Improved by UPS’ “No Left Turn” Rule appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

“Active Air Control” Improves Emissions and Fuel Economy in Larger Engines

Benji Jerew — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 15:40:29 +0000

An internal combustion engine (ICE) is essentially an air pump. The more efficient the air flows through the air pump (ICE), the better power and fuel economy the ICE can deliver. The ICE is a complex high-speed ballet of mechanical parts, designed to extract as much usable power from a spritz of gasoline in each […]

The post “Active Air Control” Improves Emissions and Fuel Economy in Larger Engines appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Report – United States Average Fuel Economy New All-Time High

Benji Jerew — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 18:44:24 +0000

As fuel prices continue to rise and emissions regulations tighten, the results can be seen in the increased adoption of vehicles with better fuel economy. Automobiles are becoming more fuel-efficient every year and, at the same time, delivering better performance. For example, electric vehicles are torquey and fun-to-drive, and have the best fuel economy on […]

The post Report – United States Average Fuel Economy New All-Time High appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

The Five Best Fuel Economy Pure Conventional Vehicles

Benji Jerew — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 20:15:50 +0000

Did you know that you don’t have to spend the extra money on a hybrid or electric vehicle to get the best fuel economy? We fully believe that electric vehicles, if people can get over their limitations, are going to be the future of transportation. On the other hand, we recognize that the internal combustion […]

The post The Five Best Fuel Economy Pure Conventional Vehicles appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Can New Nissan Engine Make for Better Fuel Economy?

Benji Jerew — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 15:50:02 +0000

A lot of racing technology trickles down to mainstream vehicles, including everything from tires to aerodynamics and even seatbelts and fuel economy tweaks. A new Nissan engine, developed for the world-famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race, could change everything we know about conventional vehicles and fuel economy. The Nissan ZEOD (Zero Emissions On Demand) […]

The post Can New Nissan Engine Make for Better Fuel Economy? appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

For Overstating Fuel Economy, Hyundai and Kia Will Pay Back Millions

Benji Jerew — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 22:22:37 +0000

It’s one thing to say that “your mileage may vary” (YMMV) but, when confronted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), at least a couple of companies have admitted to overstating the fuel economy of their vehicles. The EPA doesn’t test every single vehicle to measure fuel economy, for the most part, counting on the manufacturers […]

The post For Overstating Fuel Economy, Hyundai and Kia Will Pay Back Millions appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Honda Carbon Dioxide Reduction is More Than Fuel Economy

Benji Jerew — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 20:41:45 +0000

It might seem to be a contradiction that, taking a look at the average fuel economy of Honda vehicles, there isn’t much commitment to carbon dioxide reduction. After all, according to recent UMTRI (University of Michigan Transportation Institute) studies, United States average vehicle fuel economy is at an all-time high of 23.9 miles per gallon […]

The post Honda Carbon Dioxide Reduction is More Than Fuel Economy appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

BMW i3 Extended-Range Electric Vehicle is Cheaper to Own

Benji Jerew — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 15:12:07 +0000

Thanks to its lightweight construction, the BMW i3 extended-range electric vehicle gets exceptional fuel economy and range. The same thing that makes the BMW i3 lighter and more efficient also makes it cheaper to own than conventional vehicles or even some other electric vehicles. The key lies in BMW’s use of a new material for […]

The post BMW i3 Extended-Range Electric Vehicle is Cheaper to Own appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Sub-2.0L Engines and Electric Vehicles – The Great Divide in 2020

Benji Jerew — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 14:00:36 +0000

According to one study, the next ten years are simply going to widen the divide between electric vehicles and vehicles powered by the internal combustion engine (ICE). I’ll bet a study like this really puts a crimp in the side of automakers staking their future on the production and sale of electric vehicles, as well […]

The post Sub-2.0L Engines and Electric Vehicles – The Great Divide in 2020 appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

2014 Honda Accord PHEV Has Impressive Real World Fuel Economy Statistics…

Benji Jerew — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 17:20:20 +0000

…except that you need to learn how to drive. Some people get into a new vehicle, and the first thing they complain about is that they don’t get the fuel economy that’s on the EPA sticker. The new 2014 Honda Accord PHEV is no different. There are two problems comparing sticker and real-world fuel economy […]

The post 2014 Honda Accord PHEV Has Impressive Real World Fuel Economy Statistics… appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Audi Boosts Fuel Economy by Deactivating Cylinders

Benji Jerew — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 16:39:15 +0000

As emissions regulations for the automobile industry continue to strengthen, automakers are looking for the best ways to reduce fuel economy without impacting performance. Audi’s approach to increasing fuel economy actually isn’t new, but has resulted in a fairly decent savings in fuel consumption. At the same time, Audi hasn’t sacrificed the performance that its […]

The post Audi Boosts Fuel Economy by Deactivating Cylinders appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Spiral Effect – Volvo Structural Batteries Increase Fuel Economy

Benji Jerew — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 19:55:25 +0000

Better than eighteen months ago, Volvo Car Group started a project that was meant to start a spiral of increasing fuel economy, starting with the electrical system. The heart of the project is a new lithium-based supercapacitor, which is just 1mm thick, and can be integrated into body panels and vehicle structural members. A hood, […]

The post Spiral Effect – Volvo Structural Batteries Increase Fuel Economy appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Nobel Prize in Chemistry Given to Research That Could Improve Fuel Economy

Benji Jerew — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 18:47:04 +0000

With vehicle emissions standards becoming more and more stringent, automakers are focusing on improving the fuel economy of their fleets. The internal combustion engine has remained relatively unchanged in principle, but researching fuel economy improvements is ongoing, such as turbocharging smaller-displacement engines, hybrid electric systems, or dispensing with engine altogether. There is still plenty of […]

The post Nobel Prize in Chemistry Given to Research That Could Improve Fuel Economy appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Motorcycle Uses Hydrogen Fuel Cell to Recover Lost Energy

Benji Jerew — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 18:54:35 +0000

I’ve seen hydrogen fuel cells being tested as range-extenders and as full-blown propulsion systems, but I kind of like this setup, as an energy recovery device, improving the fuel economy of a motorcycle. Granted, motorcycles are already some of the best vehicles, only two-wheels granted, but they still suffer from the exact same inefficiencies that […]

The post Motorcycle Uses Hydrogen Fuel Cell to Recover Lost Energy appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Ford Plug-In Vehicle Drivers May Need to Adjust Driving Habits for Higher MPG

Benji Jerew — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 17:41:49 +0000

Currently, Ford Motor Company has three plug-in vehicles, including the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle [PHEV] Ford Fusion Energi, C-Max Energi, and a pure electric vehicle, the Focus EV. Regarding these plug-in vehicles, it takes a few months to adjust to the new fuel, electricity, that is. One great way to promote your product is to […]

The post Ford Plug-In Vehicle Drivers May Need to Adjust Driving Habits for Higher MPG appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Resilient Technologies’ Fuel-Saving Airless Tire to be Deployed on Military ATVs

Benji Jerew — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 18:54:35 +0000

Polaris, a world leader in off-road vehicles, recently acquired non-pneumatic tire [NPT] startup Resilient Technologies, and is now supplying Polaris ATVs, equipped with airless tires, to the US Military. Various manufacturers have been investigating NPT technology, including leading tire manufacturers Bridgestone and Yokohama, but we haven’t seen them get much beyond low-speed unregulated applications. Bridgestone’s […]

The post Resilient Technologies’ Fuel-Saving Airless Tire to be Deployed on Military ATVs appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

ARPA-E Funding Lightweight Materials for Greener Automobiles

Benji Jerew — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 20:02:48 +0000

The US Department of Energy’s [DOE] Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy [ARPA-E] has made funding available for many projects that could revolutionize energy, and how we use it. Some of that ARPA-E funding has gone to wind turbines, electric-vehicle battery research, solar power systems, and even geothermal energy projects, among many others. This week, […]

The post ARPA-E Funding Lightweight Materials for Greener Automobiles appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Fuel Economy Is More Driver Habit Than Equipment, Consumer Reports Confirms

Benji Jerew — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 18:51:07 +0000

Fuel economy, has been in the news a lot lately, with increasing emissions regulations and the automakers’ technological advancements to meet them. Then, when the automobiles, in real-world situations, don’t meet up to the EPA fuel economy ratings, imagine the disappointment. Could it be, perhaps, that fuel economy depends more on driver habit than the […]

The post Fuel Economy Is More Driver Habit Than Equipment, Consumer Reports Confirms appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Fuel Economy, EPA Ratings vs Real World, Consumer Reports Points Out Improvements

Benji Jerew — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 14:37:05 +0000

Recently, there has been a lot of flak in the air over supposed fuel economy discrepancies. “Your Mileage May Vary” isn’t enough for people anymore, but where does the fault lie? Consumer Reports, and other people and agencies, believe the problem to be related to the Environmental Protection Agency’s [EPA] testing methods. For example, in […]

The post Fuel Economy, EPA Ratings vs Real World, Consumer Reports Points Out Improvements appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Hybrid Vehicles Make No Sense on Long Commutes, Says CMU Study

Benji Jerew — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 15:34:35 +0000

According to a recent study completed by Carnegie Mellon University, drivers with long commutes won’t necessarily be doing the environment any favors by spending the extra money on a hybrid vehicle. This is the first time I’ve ever used this phrase, but, “Well, duh!” I’m glad that someone with more clout than I, and other […]

The post Hybrid Vehicles Make No Sense on Long Commutes, Says CMU Study appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Gorilla Glass Windshield Could Improve Vehicle Fuel Economy – See How

Benji Jerew — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 17:59:41 +0000

Jeff Evenson, Corning Senior Vice President, says he expects that at least one high-end automaker to use Gorilla Glass in the next year, realizing a few points of fuel economy increase. Improving vehicle fuel economy isn’t just a matter of reducing engine size. Reducing engine load by reducing weight is another key aspect. Really, there are a […]

The post Gorilla Glass Windshield Could Improve Vehicle Fuel Economy – See How appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

“Full-Size Truck Sales Surge, Fuel Economy Doesn’t Matter,” Fox Business Puts Foot in Mouth

Benji Jerew — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:01:52 +0000

This story appeared a month ago, but I thought I’d take a look at it again. Is fuel economy the driving force behind customer choice of vehicle? The simple answer is yes, but before I get to that, I thought the following quote was most telling: “The gas guzzlers reign supreme in the American auto […]

The post “Full-Size Truck Sales Surge, Fuel Economy Doesn’t Matter,” Fox Business Puts Foot in Mouth appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

SAE 2013: Bob Lutz on Fuel Economy Regulations, “I Don’t Get It.”

Benji Jerew — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:47:40 +0000

With all the talk about fuel economy regulations and building more fuel efficient vehicles, Bob Lutz explains that we’re attacking the problem from the wrong angle. Everyone in the automobile industry by now is familiar with Bob Lutz, former chairman of General Motors, staunch defender of Chevy Volt, and moving force behind VIA Motors. In […]

The post SAE 2013: Bob Lutz on Fuel Economy Regulations, “I Don’t Get It.” appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

New Chinese Fuel Economy Regulations Announced, Both Good and Bad

Benji Jerew — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:09:56 +0000

The world’s biggest automobile market is suffering financially, and new Chinese fuel economy regulations could be both good and bad. The small-car market in China really isn’t all that bad regarding fuel efficiency, and averaged 30mpg in 2009. By comparison, the US only just reached an all-time high in fuel economy, 23.8mpg in 2012. Much […]

The post New Chinese Fuel Economy Regulations Announced, Both Good and Bad appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

2015 Chevy Volt May Lose a Cylinder and Increase Fuel Economy

Benji Jerew — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 19:27:35 +0000

General Motors could make a difference by taking a cylinder out of the the 2015 Chevy Volt, as automakers race to increase fuel economy of their vehicle fleet. There are a number of strategies to increase fuel economy, including aerodynamic engineering, lightweight materials and engine and transmission design, to name a few. Electrification has led […]

The post 2015 Chevy Volt May Lose a Cylinder and Increase Fuel Economy appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Fuel Economy Claims Inflated by U.S. Automakers, Too

Benji Jerew — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 19:53:33 +0000

Just like it’s been reported in Europe, automakers inflate fuel economy numbers by a large margin. EPA will try to stop that from happening in the future. Some people, like myself, shop for a brand they’re most familiar with and have confidence in. Some might look for “any SUV with towing capability,” and then there […]

The post Fuel Economy Claims Inflated by U.S. Automakers, Too appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

EPA Ratings – Your EV Mileage May Vary

Benji Jerew — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 22:41:47 +0000

We have all seen or at least heard the phrase, “Your mileage may vary,” and it has much more to do with the driver than anything else. We recently covered an interesting test drive that Edmunds.com puts all their test vehicles through, a 105.5 mile real-world test track otherwise referred to as the One Lap […]

The post EPA Ratings – Your EV Mileage May Vary appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Small Vehicles – Safety or Fuel Efficiency?

Benji Jerew — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 21:11:34 +0000

For the most part, the safety of a particular vehicle is directly tied to its mass, or put another way, how much metal is between you and the outside world. Inversely proportional, however, is fuel economy, or range in the case of electric vehicles. This is the reason that motorcycles can often be found ranging […]

The post Small Vehicles – Safety or Fuel Efficiency? appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

US Fuel Economy on the Rise, UMTRI Study Claims

Benji Jerew — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 19:41:58 +0000

Since the 1970’s with the OPEC Oil Embargo and introduction of Corporate Average Fuel Economy [CAFE] regulations, the fuel economy of the US fleet of light vehicles has continued to increase. Fuel prices and CAFE regulations have both played their part in the average fuel economy in the nation, but fuel prices seem to be […]

The post US Fuel Economy on the Rise, UMTRI Study Claims appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Magnesium Sheet Metal Could Be Key to Better Fuel Economy

Benji Jerew — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 18:45:50 +0000

Modern auto manufacturers have a number of objectives they need to achieve in order to build and market a successful vehicle. At times, some of these objectives seem to be at odds with each other. Engine Power and Occupant Space are always at odds with Fuel Economy. Fuel Economy is always at odds with Occupant […]

The post Magnesium Sheet Metal Could Be Key to Better Fuel Economy appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Obama’s Proposal to Raise Fuel Economy Creates 570,000 U.S. Jobs

Maria Reyes — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 19:42:21 +0000

The Obama Administration’s recent proposal to reduce fuel use is expected to create 570,000 jobs in the U.S. by 2030. Of this figure, 50,000 new jobs will be in light-duty vehicle manufacturing and assembly alone. The proposal calls for the implementation of a vehicle fuel economy standards for light-duty vehicles built from 2017 to 2025. […]

The post Obama’s Proposal to Raise Fuel Economy Creates 570,000 U.S. Jobs appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Ford Estimating 25% of Their Fleet to be Electric or Hybrid by 2020

Cristi — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:52:42 +0000

Ford recently disclosed their long term plan coming to align with governmental laws related with fuel efficiency: by 2020, at least 25% of Ford's new cars will be either electric or hybrid vehicles. In North America, 7 of 10 vehicles will be gasoline-electric hybrids, such as the current Fusion hybrid version.

The post Ford Estimating 25% of Their Fleet to be Electric or Hybrid by 2020 appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Cheap New Electrochemical Flue Gas Purificaton for Diesel Engines

Florin — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 05:37:28 +0000

In Europe half of the cars sold are using diesel engines. The pollution from these cars (carbon particles, nitrogen oxides NOX and unburned hydrocarbons) is to be more strictly restricted by the EU regulations.

RisÃƒÆ’¸ Danish Technical University has started a new project to develop an effective method for making diesel engines cleaner.

The post Cheap New Electrochemical Flue Gas Purificaton for Diesel Engines appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

10+1 Tips to Driving a Diesel Car Economically

Ovidiu Sandru — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:39:52 +0000

1. First of all, remove the aggressive tendency from your driving habits. I admit I myself like to be aggressive sometimes, it gives me chills, diesel cars have a lot of torque at low rpm, but from what I experienced that go fast-full stop-go-fast attitude costs me about 2 liters more per hundred kilometers. Sometimes […]

The post 10+1 Tips to Driving a Diesel Car Economically appeared first on The Green Optimistic.