Over approximately the last decade, no problem has so vexed the average American as that of rising gasoline prices. Though the nation has encountered similar (or arguably, more drastic) periods of pain at the pump, most notably during the oil embargoes of the late-1970’s, the value of gasoline has risen spastically and dramatically. With political tension arising anew in the Middle East over Iran’s nuclear potential, this seems unlikely to change in the near future; as such, consumers have begun transitioning from the large, fuel inefficient trucks and sports utility vehicles which so permeated the 1990’s and early 2000’s in favor of more economic small cars. Seeing this change, and also feeling the pressure of government mandates to meet increased fuel efficiency minimums in the near future, automobile manufacturers around the globe have begun to develop new technologies to reduce their emissions and elevate their miles-per-gallon.
In an attempt to corner the market on fuel-efficient vehicles, the various automakers have introduced new terminologies into the industry lexicon. Midway through the last decade, Americans in-tune with such developments were mulling such buzzwords as “hydrogen fuel cell,” “hybrid,” “ethanol,” and “solar power.” While only a couple of these technologies have seen mass implementation, there is hope that further innovation will allow hydrogen (knocked for its combustibility in collisions) and solar power (currently produced with too great inefficiency for use) to be included in future vehicles.
Of those aforementioned technologies, perhaps the most popular and exciting has been the hybrid gas-electric engine. Some manufacturers, most notably Chevrolet with their new “Volt”, are banking on full electric battery engines to become the primary efficient fuel source of the future, but as of this writing such engines are limited by constraints of their batteries and a lack of recharge stations. Hybrid engines, which combine standard combustion systems with electric batteries, do not face such challenges; some have solved recharge issues by transforming heat naturally generated by the brakes into electricity, and their combustion engines are served the same gasoline as any older vehicle. One hybrid model, the Toyota Prius, manages to eclipse 40 MPG, well on the way to President Barack Obama’s mandate of all 2025 model year vehicles surpassing 50 MPG.
This quick synopsis barely touches the tip of the “fuel efficiency” iceberg. Thanks to a combination of rising gas prices, government mandates, and concerns for the environment, a whole new market has emerged over the last decade for vehicles that achieve ever-greater fuel economy. While some automobile manufacturers are claiming, as said in one of the links below, that such efficiency may come at the expense of passenger safety, their opponents are proving them wrong daily. With every brand conceivable at least considering hybrid engines or other efficient systems, it seems the most green will be found in “green” cars.
Links/Sources:
http://bit.ly/yv9vqZ (This is an episode of Scientific American Frontiers which documents the efforts of the auto industry to meet higher MPG demand circa 2005)
http://on.msnbc.com/wew9PP (MSNBC article on the auto industry backing Obama’s mileage mandate)
http://money.cnn.com/2011/08/03/autos/wards_auto_CAFE_engineer_survey/index.htm