New Fuel-efficient Engine to be Unveiled at Sae World Congress

The drive to develop cleaner burning engines is steadily increasing as the threat of global warming increases. Car manufacturers are partnering with engine manufacturer to develop gasoline engines with the fuel-efficiency similar to that of diesel engines.

Diesel engines uses direct injection technology and engine developers at present are using the same technology for gasoline engines. The FEV Engine Technology Inc. is at the forefront of developing fuel efficient gasoline engines. The company recently announced that they will be unveiling a developmental gasoline/E85 turbocharged direct injection engine at the forthcoming 2007 SAE World Congress which will be held from April 16 to 19.

The said engine promises to produce the same power produced by a larger engine while consuming considerably less fuel. The engine will also address the problem with using alternative fuels such as bio-ethanol which has a lower energy density as compared to gasoline.

The cleaner engine will be featuring a variable compression ratio which will optimize the use of alternative fuel E85. The engine can get the best out of the E85 fuel by adjusting its compression ratio when E85 is used. With the technology being used by this engine, it can reduce fuel consumption by as much as 25 percent according to FEV.

Robert Last, the Vice President of Operations and Communications for FEV, extolled the advantages of their new engine. Last has this to say: “This engine is a look at the future evolution of spark ignition engines as manufacturers seek to set a new standard for power and fuel efficiency, yet face increasingly stiffer emissions requirements. And by mating the GTDI with variable compression ratio capability, it will allow customization of the engine control strategy to adjust for the use of alternative fuels such as E85 that tolerate combustion without knocking at higher compression ratios.”

The variable compression ratio feature of the engine uses a sensor to detect the content of alcohol and the fuel. This information is then passed to an onboard computer which will then adjust the compression ratio in the combustion chamber. The engine though is still in the developmental stage. But according to Last: “While it’s still a developmental tool, we believe that we can achieve diesel-like fuel efficiency with a gasoline engine. The GTDI/VCR engine is just one example of advanced technologies that FEV is developing together with its customers that could ultimately reduce our dependence on imported oil.”

Developments such as this are a huge step towards the reduction of energy dependence of the country on foreign oil. The global community needs more advancement in technology such as this to battle the threat of global warming. But for those with common gasoline engines, reducing fuel consumption and increasing performance can be achieved with the help of aftermarket parts such as the K&N cold air intake systems.

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Commentary: Yergin Sees Clear Road Ahead For More Fuel-Efficient Cars

The road is getting much clearer.

This week, legislation will emerge from committee, and almost certainly soon head to the floor of the U.S. Senate. It might not get that much notice in itself, but it ought to, because it tells you how much has changed on energy issues. And, given its probable passage (or that of something along its lines), the new legislation will have a big impact on the automobile industry, on gasoline consumption, and on what people drive.

The bill is the “Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act,” and it is coming out of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Technology under the joint sponsorship of Democratic Chairman Daniel Inouye and Republican Vice Chairman Ted Stevens. Whether it is the provisions in this bill, or something like it, fuel efficiency standards for American vehicles are going to go up.

It’s no longer left versus right, Democrats versus Republicans, Congress versus the Administration. In this year’s State of the Union address, President Bush cited the need to “reform and modernize fuel efficiency standards,” and the Administration is working on its own proposals. Putting it simply, on this formerly contentious issue, bipartisanship prevails.

We even know pretty much by how much efficiency will go up. “The Great Mentioner” (to borrow a conceit that the columnist Russell Baker invented years ago) has decided on the “Four-Percent Solution.” That is, fuel efficiency is meant to go up by about 4% a year (though, some of the time, by 3.5%). That translates into about a 10-mile-per-gallon improvement over the next ten years. That’s your “Ten in Ten.”

There are some key characteristics of this “Ten in Ten.” First, it will apply not only to cars, but also to SUVs, vans, pickups, and medium and heavy trucks, all at the same rate. Secondly, it will be based on “attributes.” That is, it will allocated across class of vehicles (measured by weight and size and functionality). This will help eliminate the rigidities of the current Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency Standards, which measure changes across a company’s entire output – a problem when the public tilted to larger, less fuel-efficient vehicles, forcing companies to produce smaller, less-profitable or barely-profitable cars to meet the targets.

There is still one hot issue – the appropriately named “off-ramps.” Tuesday’s legislation would give the National Highway Transport Safety Administration the authority to reduce or waive the 4% target in a given year if it was proving not cost-effective.

Off-ramps are controversial, so expect much debate on that question before this is all over, but don’t expect the debate to go off road.

Where did this consensus come from? The answer is clear. It’s the coalescing of concerns about energy security, prices at the pump, and climate change. And it is a very powerful consensus.

In his opening statement at last week’s hearing on the legislation, Senator Stevens captured the new tone: “The issue of fuel economy of our cars and light trucks is significant as our country faces an increasing energy crisis.” He then went on to talk about the effects of climate change on his state, Alaska.

Retired Admiral Dennis Blair, formerly commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, testified at the same hearing. He was representing the Energy Security Leadership Council, headed by Former Marine Commandant P.X. Kelley and FedEx CEO Fred Smith, which has been one of the key players in helping to shape this consensus. Over the last few months, the Council had worked with Democrat Byron Dorgan and Republican Larry Craig to draft legislation that embodies many of these principles.

“Improved security,” said Admiral Blair, “will require greater conservation as well as increased production of petroleum and alternatives here at home. Put another way, improved vehicle fuel economy will increase our military flexibility and our overall national security, not just our energy security.”

The ESLC estimates that this improvement will end up saving 4.5 million barrels a day by 2030.

The fuel-efficiency standards were originally established in 1975, two years after the 1973 oil embargo, with the aim of doubling fuel efficiency levels within a decade. It was a furious battle to get them enacted.

“We do not want any handouts, we do not way any taxes, and we do not want any regulations,” said the CEO of one of the Big Three in the midst of the battle. “We do not like that sort of thing.”

But a few years later, Henry Ford II declared, “It is fair to say” that the fuel efficiency standards “moved us faster toward energy conservation goals than competitive, free-market forces would have done.”

They certainly did work, saving about two million barrels per day, compared to what would otherwise have been consumed.

At the same time, two million barrels per day of new supply was added with the construction of the Alaska oil pipeline. That’s the same point that the ESLC and others argues today, about the importance of both greater efficiency and additional supply.

Our study Gasoline and the American People shows that fuel-efficiency gains have flattened out in recent years as Americans’ love affair with the automobile turned into a passion for SUVs. Low gasoline prices further stimulated the ardor. The larger, less-efficient vehicles also turned out to be the part of the market where Detroit had competitive advantage. Any significant improvement in fuel efficiency standards was stalemated by, among other things, fear for the impact on beleagured Detroit, struggling as it is with heavy legacy and health costs compared with its competitors.

But circumstances have been changing over the last couple of years. In 2002, for instance, the National Academy of Science argued that fuel efficiency could be improved by a quarter over a decade with “existing and emerging technologies.” Right now, the momentum for higher standards looks unstoppable. Tying the changes to class of vehicles, rather than across an automaker’s entire output, is meant to help troubled Detroit steer it way through the challenges ahead.

Fatany Mitsitsy (fuel-efficient cookstoves in Madagascar!)

How to make a fuel-efficient cookstove in Madagascar!!

Buying a Fuel-efficient Car

Whether you buy a new or used vehicle, fuel efficiency–good gas mileage–is high on the list of most buyers’ concerns. The difference between choosing a fuel-efficient car or one that guzzles gas, will either save or cost you money over the life of the vehicle, which could be substantial. Fuel efficiency varies widely from one car to the next. Obviously you can check the EPA rating for city/highway MPG on the window sticker, although most of us know the average car never reaches those numbers.

You can also check consumer guides, car magazines and Web sites, Web site forums or ask friends, relatives and co-workers which vehicles they recommend as fuel-efficient cars. Don’t buy more car than you need, as larger vehicles generally have bigger engines that are less fuel-efficient. Find the most fuel-efficient car in the size group you’re interested in, whether a two-seater, compact, mid-sized, SUV or pickup truck. There are several online sites where you can compare fuel consumption ratings of any car.

Your choice of transmission can also affect the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. Generally, a car with manual transmission is a more fuel-efficient car than one with automatic-assuming you shift properly. And a manual with overdrive, tachometer or shift indicator is the biggest fuel saver, saving up to 10% on fuel costs. If you do buy an automatic, which makes more sense for larger cars, the more gears the better.

Under normal driving conditions, smaller engines offer better fuel efficiency and economy than larger ones. All other things being equal, the larger engine and the more cylinders it has, the more fuel it consumes. Additionally, cars with smaller engines usually cost less and gas costs are lower because you don’t need higher octane gas. That doesn’t mean a bigger engine is never a good choice. In some cases, a larger, more powerful engine may provide the greater fuel efficiency. If you use your vehicle for work or often tow heavy loads, a smaller engine could burn more fuel if it has to work too hard and function beyond its most fuel-efficient range.

Depending on the type and size of motor vehicle you purchase, you may have the choice of front-wheel, rear-wheel, four-wheel or all-wheel drive. The majority of passenger cars and minivans have front-wheel drive, a design that supplies better traction and more interior room than rear-wheel drive. Although front-wheel drive was originally adopted to improve fuel economy over rear-wheel drive by reducing the weight and size of cars without giving up driving performance or interior space, there’s really not much difference in fuel efficiency between the two.

And although four-wheel and all-wheel drive provide better traction and braking in certain driving conditions, the weight and friction of the additional drivetrain parts may increase fuel consumption by up to 10% over a two-wheel drive vehicle. Most often in SUVs and pickup trucks, four-wheel drive is enabled at will by the driver when additional traction is necessary. All-wheel drive is an option on some SUVs and a minority of passenger cars. Full-time all-wheel drive, however, makes for the least fuel-efficient car, because all four wheels are always being driven, drawing power from the engine and thus using more gas.

Another way to be a fuel saver, is by limiting the options you select for your car. You may not have realized that many conveniences from power windows, seats and mirrors to air conditioning and seat warmers decrease fuel efficiency and cost you more in fuel consumption. They add either weight, increase aerodynamic drag or pull extra power from the engine or through the alternator.
Aluminium wheels are one of the few options that actually reduce weight and thereby increase fuel efficiency.

Obviously, considering other fuel options such as a hybrid electric car, is another choice for a fuel-efficient car.

See my other articles for more tips at http://www.alientips.com

Tips For Purchasing A Fuel-Efficient Vehicle

When it comes to purchasing a new vehicle, you might want to consider buying the most fuel-efficient one that meets your needs. Follow these tips to help you make an informed decision:

• Do some research before you leave home – The Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) website, www.vehicles.nrcan.gc.ca, lets you compare the fuel consumption of various makes and models of vehicles for a specific year;

• Check out the EnerGuide Label – Compare vehicles using the EnerGuide label that is found on all new cars. The label shows city and highway fuel consumption ratings and an estimated annual fuel cost for that particular vehicle. The values may not be perfect but they’re a start;

• Choose a vehicle that fits your everyday needs in terms of size and power – Put some serious thought into your space and cargo needs – do you really need a minivan when a compact would do? Passenger cars with smaller engines tend to deliver better fuel economy than those with larger engines. Keep in mind horsepower levels have doubled over the past two decades and the power available in today’s subcompact cars exceeds that of many midsize sedans of the mid-1980s;

• Choose a manual instead of an automatic transmission – Look for the transmission option that minimizes fuel consumption. Generally speaking, manuals will use less fuel, saving up to 100 litres a year;

• Two-wheel drive vs. four-wheel drive – The added weight and drive train losses you get with four-wheel and ‘all-wheel’ drive systems increase fuel consumption. Although all-wheel drive can offer better traction when accelerating under slippery conditions, it doesn’t assist in turning or braking; there is no substitute for safe driving habits;

• Think about your extras – Accessories and power features can be a big drag on an engine, increasing fuel consumption. How much do you really need a sunroof or roof rack? Are they worth the increased fuel consumption and emissions?

Do your homework and watch your savings add up and your emissions go down.

www.newscanada.com

Jay’s green garage: Leno operation is more fuel-efficient than your mom’s Prius:

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Complete video at: fora.tv California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger criticizes the American automobile industry for its reluctance to embrace environmentally-friendly innovations. —– In signing a landmark climate change law two years ago, Governor Schwarzenegger put California ahead of the parade to a low-carbon economy. “The global warming debate is over,” he declared. Public awareness has surged since then, but most of the hard work still lies ahead. How will California meet its goal of reducing emissions of greenhouse gases 25 percent by 2020? Will offshore oil drilling be resumed? Who will pay for the transition to sustainable energy? Will California’s energy and environmental laws become part of a national plan under a new president? The governor will provide an update and his vision of the road ahead – The Commonwealth Club of California Arnold Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American bodybuilder, actor, businessman, and politician, currently serving as the 38th Governor of the state of California.

Hybrid time: Toyota’s Mary Nickerson is at the center of the automotive industry’s renewed emphasis on production of fuel-efficient vehicles.: An article from: Los Angeles Business Journal

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Los Angeles Business Journal, published by Thomson Gale on October 3, 2005. The length of the article is 1577 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Hybrid time: Toyota’s Mary Nickerson is at the center of the automotive industry’s renewed emphasis on production of fuel-efficient vehicles.(Interview)
Author: David Geffner
Publication: Los Angeles Business Journal (Magazine/Journal)
Date: October 3, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 27 Issue: 40 Page: 22(1)

Article Type: Interview

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Fuel-efficient furnace helps reduce acid rain. : An article from: Canadian Chemical News

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Canadian Chemical News, published by Chemical Institute of Canada on February 1, 1991. The length of the article is 482 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Fuel-efficient furnace helps reduce acid rain. (coal-burning furnace which eliminates sulphur emissions)(News Briefs)
Publication: Canadian Chemical News (Magazine/Journal)
Date: February 1, 1991
Publisher: Chemical Institute of Canada
Volume: v43 Issue: n2 Page: p7(2)

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