America's Need for More Fuel-Efficient Cars

While on vacation in Europe recently, we rented a car and were worried about the cost of fuel, at a whopping $8.75 per gallon. However, we were amazed by the fuel economy of our rental car, a Fiat Grande Punto Diesel, which did an amazing 65 miles per gallon. This actually worked out cheaper per mile than the cars we drive in the United States.

Europeans enjoy incredible fuel efficiency with cars achieving up to 75 miles per gallon and above, while we marvel at cars that achieve a mere 35 miles per gallon. Why are US car manufacturers unwilling to give us the benefits of reducing our impact on the environment, the tremendous financial benefits of better fuel economy and less dependence on foreign oil? Is their motivation somehow linked to their close ties to the oil industry? While they may be reluctant to make changes now, the manufacturers that do so will have an incredible advantage - most Americans, feeling the pinch of a slowing economy would be happy to reduce the cost of commuting to work. The auto manufacturers who are the first to give us these fuel saving cars, will win a far greater share of the market.

"Necessity is the mother of invention", so they say and this is obviously the case in Europe, where gasoline costs around $8.00 per gallon. Fuel-efficient cars are absolutely essential. Will this become the case here, as gas prices continue to rise?

What About Engine Size?

It is not size that matters, Greater performance can be achieved with technology such as Turbo power. You can enjoy great performance, acceleration, and power with smaller engine sizes as well a greater fuel economy.

Is Diesel a Viable Alternative to Gasoline?

The United States has the world's largest coal reserves and is the second largest coal producer. According to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Alan Goldman and Maurice Brookhart, Researchers at Carolina and Rutgers University, have developed a way to convert coal to form other fuels, such as ethane gas and diesel. This new synthetic diesel burns cleaner than conventional diesel and gasoline. This system is still in the design process as current production methods are costly, but once these hurdles have been overcome we could have enough fuel to supply the United States for more than 40 years.

According to the National Geographic News, critics say that although this new diesel is cleaner burning than petroleum-derived products, producing fewer particulates and less dangerous nitrogen oxide, but as diesel burns, it also releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Coal-based synthetic fuels may produce twice the greenhouse gas emissions of petroleum-based fuels.

However, European auto manufacturers have found a way around this problem. European automobile manufacturers, such as Fiat, VW and Mercedes have already designed new technology to meet California's tough new diesel emission standards, which came into effect this year (2008).

Mercedes New E320 Bluetec Diesel-Fueled E-Class

The new Mercedes 2008 E320 Bluetec, has a 3.0-liter, 24-valve, turbocharged diesel V-6 Engine, and produces 208 horsepower. Fuel consumption is as low as 32 mpg; and it can travel up to 675 miles on one tank of fuel. Mercedes-Benz is the first manufacturer to offer a luxury diesel-powered car that complies with California's strict 2008 air-quality standards. BLUETEC® is a new modular exhaust treatment technology, which reduces diesel emissions. This car was the winner of the 2007 World Green Car award, the cleanest diesel in the world.

2008 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Diesel

Volkswagen is also releasing vehicles comprising new technology. VW's new 2.0-liter common-rail TDI diesel engine, is fitted in the Jetta, and the automaker says the new technology is currently being tested for use in other models. Reducing nitrogen oxide, a major component of smog, the technology results in up to 90 percent fewer nitrogen oxide emissions. According to Popular Mechanics, this new diesel engine will help Volkswagen to compete with Hybrid cars by achieving up to 50 miles per gallon. Forget the noisy, smelly diesels of the past, these new diesels offer 140 hp and 236 lb.-ft. of torque, are fun to drive, clean and quiet.

FIAT 1.3 MULTIJET 16v Engine

Collaboration between Fiat and GM has produced the Fiat-GM Powertrain 1.3-liter turbo diesel engine. Installed in cars such as the Fiat Grande Punto, this award winning engine can achieve up to 80 miles per gallon. Developed at the Fiat Research Center, this new engine design uses electronic controls, which divide the main fuel injection into several smaller units to achieve quieter combustion, reduced emissions, and increased performance.

It is obvious that new fuel efficient cars will be available in the United States soon, if US manufacturers do not offer them, foreign manufacturers will. Not everyone is an environmentalist, but one thing is certain, we would all like more money in our pockets!

References:
http://www.italiaspeed.com/2005/cars/fiat/06/multijet_award/0406.html
http://www.mbusa.com/models/main.do?modelCode=E320BTEC
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/04/0418_060418_coal_energy_2.html
http://research.unc.edu/endeavors/fall2006/coal_liquefaction.php
http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/automotive_news/4235586.html