Since the introduction of Obama’s 54.5 mpg Fuel Efficiency Standards in 2012 the automotive industry has begun to experience the pressure of innovating newer technology that can yield greater fuel efficiency. Through the cooperation between the US Department of Transportation and the US Environmental Protection Agency they have finalized standards that will require automakers to create vehicles that have a 54.5 mpg rating by the year 2025. There are several technologies that are currently in the works and some that have already been developed that can help in achieving the 54.5 mpg by the next 10 years. I will explore both the general and technical advancements that automakers use to increase gas mileage.

 

One of the methods that automakers are using to create more fuel efficient vehicles is by developing newer manufacturing practices than can lower weight. Decreasing the weight of an automobile can be done by manufacturing parts that weight less but still are efficient and reliable. The more a car weighs the more work an engine has to do in order to accommodate for the additional weight thus decreasing the fuel efficiency.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Automakers are also designing more aerodynamic cars that can both save mileage but also be physically appealing to consumers. Vehicles that are more aerodynamic can ‘cut’ through the air more smoothly with less drag resulting in more gas saved. These two techniques apply to both the traditional combustion engine car and to hybrids and all-electric cars like Tesla. A less technical approach that automakers are using is by promoting their hybrid vehicles which are capable of reaching very high gas mileage although they are slightly more expensive to their combustion engine counterparts.

 

Now that we have discussed some of the general ways that the automotive industry is increasing gas mileage lets open the hood of the car and explore more technical-based improvements that automakers are doing to raise gas mileage. Many newer cars are currently being equipped with a variable valve system. Variable valve timing alters the timing of the intake and exhaust valve opening in order to maximize efficiency and performance. Also, automakers are currently developing transmissions that have more gears inside. Adding more gears results in the car running at peak performance across a spectrum of different speeds while also saving fuel consumption. While focusing on maximizing the transmission of cars there has also been more emphasis on improving engine techniques as well. The majority of automakers are gradually implanting direct injection technology into their engines. Direct injection delivers precise amounts of fuel directly into the combustion engine which results in better mileage and more engine power. Another technology that automakers continue to sophisticate is the automatic engine shutdown. When a car is no longer in motion, for example a red light, the car’s engine will shutdown automatically in order to save fuel and turn back on once the car needs to be put in motion. Closely related to the automatic engine shutdown is the cylinder deactivation system. The cylinder deactivation system shuts down one or more cylinders inside an engine while a car is cruising in the highway or a light road by closing the intake and exhaust valve of that particular cylinder. This action results in gas being stopped from entering that cylinder, thus saving fuel. For all of these mechanical innovations there is a constant development in enhanced lubricants for cars, such as oil, that can increase the mechanical efficiency of engines and transmissions and also reduce the effects of friction and wear on the vehicle which will result in better fuel efficiency.

 

References:

Brooke, Lindsay. “Beyond the 6-Speed: More Ratios for Automatic Transmissions.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 29 Sept. 2012. Web. 30 Sept. 2015.

Leiser, Ken. “Auto Industry Makes Strides toward Improving Fuel Economy : Business.” Stltoday.com. N.p., 24 Jan. 2014. Web. 30 Sept. 2015.

Plumer, Brad. “Cars in the U.S. Are More Fuel-efficient than Ever. Here’s How It Happened.” The Washington Post. N.p., 13 Dec. 2013. Web. 30 Sept. 2015.

“Obama Administration Finalizes Historic 54.5 MPG Fuel Efficiency Standards.” The White House. The White House, 28 Aug. 2012. Web. 30 Sept. 2015.

“VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES OFFICE: FUEL EFFICIENCY AND EMISSIONS.”  Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2015.