Vehicle Fuel Economy
Vehicles Fuel Economy
Vehicle fuel economy has declined from what it used to be; remembering the days when it was common for a car to get 45-50 miles per gallon (MPG) it seems that there are many reasons for the loss of fuel economy. Now 45-50 miles per gallon is only heard of in a vehicle that is a hybrid, using a gas and electric engine. To imagine what could be different for today's vehicles to lose such fuel economy when it was very common among cars in the 1980's and slightly less common in the 1990's. Today drivers would be ecstatic to have a vehicle with greater fuel economy reaching 45 to 50 MPG. Today's vehicles have lower fuel economy than vehicles from the 1980's and 1990's because now vehicles are safer and have more luxury features.
“Fuel economy has been on a steady decline since 1987 and by 2002 had reached a two-decade low of less the twenty-four MPG” (Friedman, 2004, para 3).Vehicles today have lower fuel economy than vehicles from the 1980's and 1990's, the need for vehicles with higher fuel economy is in demand and auto manufacturers have no choice but to respond to consumers. As seen in the chart below is two vehicles that have been around since the 1980's and very popular in the sedan and luxury groups. Both vehicles have had a decrease in gas mileage from the 1980's to the 1990's and how the 2008 BMW 3 Series gets better gas mileage from the 1980's model.
Fuel Economy Comparison 1985-2008
Fueleconomy.gov (2008) states that the “EPA has improved its methods for estimating fuel economy, but your mileage will still vary” (para 1). No matter what kind of vehicle is being driven all fuel economy used are just numbers that may vary in a person's everyday driving situation. There are many factors that have lead to the overall decrease in fuel economy.
Today's vehicles have the ability to accelerate faster and typically have more horsepower. The 1990 Toyota Camry has 115 horsepower (hp) compared to the 2008 Toyota Camry which has 158 hp (Edmunds, 2008). The 2008 Camry can accelerate faster with 43 more horsepower the acceleration power has increased. Another example would be the 1990 BMW 3 Series which has 168 hp and the 2008 3 Series with an increase to 230 hp (Edmunds, 2008). All cars now have more powerful engines that allow people to accelerate at higher rates.
Vehicles today are equipped with more safety features, luxuries and are generally larger than vehicles from the 1980's and 1990's. Vehicles today have many advanced safety features that add weight to vehicles. The 1990 Toyota Camry weighs 3086 pounds compared to the 2008 Toyota Camry which weighs 3307 pounds (Edmunds, 2008). The 2008 Camry has over 200 more pounds to push around with many of the advanced safety features it is easy to see why the fuel economy has decreased. Safety features such as airbags (which most cars now come standard with 8 airbags), antilock braking systems (ABS), and traction control have given occupants a much safer ride in newer vehicles but have also added weight which can lead to a decrease in fuel economy. The chart below represents the 2 vehicles weight since 1990; both models have an increased weight through the years.
The advancement of advanced supplemental restraint systems (SRS) and anti-lock brakes (ABS) have added safety and weight to the latest models currently on the market. There are many other safety features that were not standard back in the 1980's and 1990's that are standard today. Multiple air bags are in cars now; every car has dual front air bags, dual side air bags, and side curtain air bags. This leads to air bags from front to back of each vehicle and each airbag device now and has increased the weight of the car.
Since safety is a big part now for consumers the doors for each seat has one or two heavy side impact door beams running inside to protect occupants from any side impacts also add to the vehicles weight. Luxury features also add weight to vehicles but many people can not live without these features today. The luxury features that are now standard in most vehicles include power features, navigation systems, and upgraded sound systems that all add weight to each vehicle new on the road. Consumers have demanded today's vehicles have air conditioner, power windows, mirrors and seats, heated and cooled seats and even DVD players. Every luxury item has added weight that can ultimately cause the loss of fuel efficiency. The balance of luxuries and fuel efficiency has to be found to help improve vehicles in the future.
The trend of fuel efficiency in the future will include hybrids, electric, and even hydrogen that will improve fuel efficiency and reduce independence for oil. Ford motor company vows to spend “at least 1 billion dollars over the next six years on developing technologies to improve the fuel efficiency of its vehicles” (O'Driscoll, 2006). If an auto manufacturer is willing to spend millions or even billions of dollars to increase fuel efficiency then the auto manufacturer realizes how important fuel economy will become over the next decade. There has already been a trend of rising gas prices in 2008, at one time averaging over $4.00 per gallon; the need is now for these super fuel efficient vehicles to reach the American consumers.
These trends of the future will cost more in the beginning but will start to turn Americans away from gas guzzling cars and trucks. As more miles are traveled on U.S. highways every year and gas prices rise as the demand increases Americans will think twice about purchasing the 8 passenger SUV and look at the smaller version SUV that may only have an occupancy for 5.
The new technology that will allow people to drive with little or no gas will be expensive for auto manufactures so the initial costs will be higher but the costs will reduce once the technologies are proven and reliable. Many vehicles with new technology are produced on smaller production lines, therefore costs are higher, but as the demand increases, production increases and costs should begin to decline. Consumers who are looking at a vehicle like the Honda Civic may also consider the hybrid model. The manufactures suggested retail price (MSRP) for the Honda Civic EX is $19,205 and the Civic Hybrid has a MSRP of $23,550 (Honda, 2008) a difference of over $4,000. Honda has plans on releasing 3 more hybrid models over the next few years and their goal is to make a hybrid more affordable.
There are more hybrid model cars available every year from every major auto manufactures and Americans are turning to the gas saving choices. “In 2003 every major automaker had either put into production or announced the planned production of at least one hybrid car or truck in small volumes” (Friedman, 2004, para 5). Hybrids have controversy surrounding them as well as vehicles with low fuel economy, many critics say that the batteries that power the hybrids are not safe for the environment and the maintenance costs are higher with a hybrid. As the hybrid technology improves the batteries will last longer and be more efficient for providing greater power to the vehicle. Maintenance costs may not decline but if a consumer is averaging 45 MPG and gas is over $5.00 a gallon, a hybrid may seem like a logical choice.
Increases in fuel efficiency and reductions in oil consumption will change the future of American cars and trucks. Honda already has a vehicle that is fueled from hydrogen and also produces zero emissions. Honda believes that hydrogen is the wave of the future and the FCX Clarity hydrogen car averages 280 miles on a tank of fuel (Honda, 2008). The FCX Clarity is not available for retail purchase because the average cost per unit is unaffordable to most of the American population.
Fuel efficient cars are now being molded into the minds of Americans due to rising gas prices and transportation costs. Reduction in oil consumption will reduce costs for Americans to drive from one place to another for many years to come. The options of multiple fuel alternatives that still need to be worked on are the one that helps consumers the most. A renewable fuel that can run tomorrow's vehicles is needed to stop the rolling effect of moving from a nonrenewable source to the next nonrenewable source when one runs out.
Vehicles today do actually have less fuel economy than the vehicles from the 1980's and 1990's because vehicles today are typically faster, have greater horsepower and are equipped with many more safety and luxury features. Although auto manufacturers do realize the need for vehicles with greater fuel economy many steps are being taken with alternative fuels, hybrids and even electric. Without a doubt vehicles in the future will start to see greater fuel efficiency to match that of the 1980's and 1990's while driver's still have the luxuries, safety and power that they are now accustomed to and can not live without.
References
O'Driscoll, C. (July, 24, 2006) Ford Focuses on Fuel Efficiency. Retrieved July 23, 2008, from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/ehost/detail?vid=5&hid=7&sid=3dd0cb94-709a-48c7-88a9-385fc3c68f61%40sessionmgr9&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=f5h&AN=32445811
Friedman, David. (2006). Pollution A to Z. Fuel Economy pages 218-219. Retrieved July 23, 2008, from http://find.galegroup.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com
Fueleconomy.gov. [No Author]. (July 25, 2008). 2008 Fuel Economy Guide. Retrieved July 23, 2008, from http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/feg2000.htm
Edmunds.com [No Author]. (2008). Car Review. Retrieved August 21, 2008, from http://www.edmunds.com/carreviews.html
Honda [No author]. (2008). Honda Civic and FCX Clarity. Retrieved August 21, 2008 from, http://automobiles.honda.com
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