The World's Most Fuel Efficient Vehicle

The World's Most Fuel Efficient Vehicle
Author: Jean-Jacques Santin
Publisher: vdf Hochschulverlag AG
Total Pages: 354
Release: 2007
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 3728131342

The goal of the PAC-Car project, a joint undertaking of ETH Zurich and ist partners, was to build a vehicle powered by a hydrogen fuel cell system that uses as little fuel as possible. PAC-Car II set a new world record in fuel efficient driving (the equivalent of 5,385 km per liter of gasoline) during the Shell Eco-marathon in Ladoux (France) on June 26, 2005. This book, addressed to graduate students, engineering professors and others interested in fuel economy contests, is the frst to summarize the issues involved when designing and constructing a vehicle for fuel economy competitions. It describes the adventure of developing the PAC-Car II and others some specifc technical advice for anyone who wants to design an ultra-lightweight land vehicle, whatever its energy source. PAC-Car was a joint project of ETH Zurich and partners from academia and industry. The goal was to build a vehicle powered by a fuel cell system that uses as little fuel as possible. PAC-Car II set a new world record in fuel efficient driving (5,385 km per liter of petrol equivalent) during the Shell Eco-marathon in Ladoux (France) on June 26, 2005. This book is the first to summarize the design and construction issues of a vehicle for fuel economy contests. It deals with the adventure of developing this world-record vehicle and provides some specific technical tips. It will help anyone who is designing an ultra lightweight land vehicle, whatever its source of energy (thermal engine, human power, solar panels), and/or those who are interested in fuel cell applications. The book addresses graduate students and teachers of engineering disciplines as well as other people interested in fuel economy contests. Content: fuel economy competitions, design phase of a fuel economy vehicle, tires, vehicle behavior, aerodynamics, vehicle body structure, wheels, front axle and steering system, powertrain, fuel cell system, driving strategy, conclusion and outlook.

Cost, Effectiveness, and Deployment of Fuel Economy Technologies for Light-Duty Vehicles

Cost, Effectiveness, and Deployment of Fuel Economy Technologies for Light-Duty Vehicles
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 812
Release: 2015-09-28
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309373913

The light-duty vehicle fleet is expected to undergo substantial technological changes over the next several decades. New powertrain designs, alternative fuels, advanced materials and significant changes to the vehicle body are being driven by increasingly stringent fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards. By the end of the next decade, cars and light-duty trucks will be more fuel efficient, weigh less, emit less air pollutants, have more safety features, and will be more expensive to purchase relative to current vehicles. Though the gasoline-powered spark ignition engine will continue to be the dominant powertrain configuration even through 2030, such vehicles will be equipped with advanced technologies, materials, electronics and controls, and aerodynamics. And by 2030, the deployment of alternative methods to propel and fuel vehicles and alternative modes of transportation, including autonomous vehicles, will be well underway. What are these new technologies - how will they work, and will some technologies be more effective than others? Written to inform The United States Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards, this new report from the National Research Council is a technical evaluation of costs, benefits, and implementation issues of fuel reduction technologies for next-generation light-duty vehicles. Cost, Effectiveness, and Deployment of Fuel Economy Technologies for Light-Duty Vehicles estimates the cost, potential efficiency improvements, and barriers to commercial deployment of technologies that might be employed from 2020 to 2030. This report describes these promising technologies and makes recommendations for their inclusion on the list of technologies applicable for the 2017-2025 CAFE standards.

The Guide to Electric, Hybrid & Fuel-Efficient Cars

The Guide to Electric, Hybrid & Fuel-Efficient Cars
Author: Jacques Duval
Publisher: Juniper Publishing
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2016-06-28
Genre: Transportation
ISBN: 9781988002446

Passionate about sustainable development? Introducing the world’s first guide to electric cars! In the first edition of what promises to be the new bestseller in the world of cars, our authors explain the latest on electric vehicles. Speaking to amateurs and more seasoned enthusiasts alike, our two experts answer all your questions: how do you recharge and service an electric vehicle? Are electric cars built for North American winters? Can you even drive on electricity every day of the week? Do you really save money when you go electric? Do electric vehicles have the speed you need? Would a hydrogen car be a wiser choice? Are the batteries in electric cars harmful to the environment—are they dangerous like the oil companies say? Does the government chip in when you buy an electric vehicle? Jacques Duval and Daniel Breton have tested over 70 different models that are on the market now or will be in a matter of months. They get down to the nitty-gritty with in-depth commentary from page one. Learn all there is to know about tech features, pricing, energy consumption stats, greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants. Just fifteen years ago, electric cars were a novelty—now, they’re becoming increasingly central to the automobile industry. Soon, the entire world will turn to this eco-friendly mode of transportation!

Automotive Fuel Economy

Automotive Fuel Economy
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 280
Release: 1992-02-01
Genre: Transportation
ISBN: 0309045304

This volume presents realistic estimates for the level of fuel economy that is achievable in the next decade for cars and light trucks made in the United States and Canada. A source of objective and comprehensive information on the topic, this book takes into account real-world factors such as the financial conditions in the automotive industry, costs and benefits to consumers, and marketability of high-efficiency vehicles. The committee is composed of experts from the fields of science, technology, finance, and regulation and offers practical evaluations of technological improvements that could contribute to increased fuel efficiency. The volume also examines potential barriers to improvement, such as high production costs, regulations on safety and emissions, and consumer preferences. This practical book is of considerable interest to car and light truck manufacturers, policymakers, federal and state agencies, and the public.

Making Cars More Fuel Efficient

Making Cars More Fuel Efficient
Author: European Conference of Ministers of Transport
Publisher: ECMT/OECD
Total Pages: 92
Release: 2005
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

Studies show that cars use significantly more fuel per km than suggested by official certification test ratings, and some argue that this gap is growing as a percentage of the tested value. This has raised concerns that national fuel efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions reduction goals will not be met, and that consumers will lose faith in reported fuel economy figures. This publication analyses the fuel efficiency gap and examines technologies available that could reduce that gap and improve fuel economy, as well as considering policy options for encouraging uptake of these technologies by vehicle manufacturers and, in some cases, by consumers themselves.

Assessment of Fuel Economy Technologies for Light-Duty Vehicles

Assessment of Fuel Economy Technologies for Light-Duty Vehicles
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 373
Release: 2011-06-03
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309216389

Various combinations of commercially available technologies could greatly reduce fuel consumption in passenger cars, sport-utility vehicles, minivans, and other light-duty vehicles without compromising vehicle performance or safety. Assessment of Technologies for Improving Light Duty Vehicle Fuel Economy estimates the potential fuel savings and costs to consumers of available technology combinations for three types of engines: spark-ignition gasoline, compression-ignition diesel, and hybrid. According to its estimates, adopting the full combination of improved technologies in medium and large cars and pickup trucks with spark-ignition engines could reduce fuel consumption by 29 percent at an additional cost of $2,200 to the consumer. Replacing spark-ignition engines with diesel engines and components would yield fuel savings of about 37 percent at an added cost of approximately $5,900 per vehicle, and replacing spark-ignition engines with hybrid engines and components would reduce fuel consumption by 43 percent at an increase of $6,000 per vehicle. The book focuses on fuel consumption-the amount of fuel consumed in a given driving distance-because energy savings are directly related to the amount of fuel used. In contrast, fuel economy measures how far a vehicle will travel with a gallon of fuel. Because fuel consumption data indicate money saved on fuel purchases and reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, the book finds that vehicle stickers should provide consumers with fuel consumption data in addition to fuel economy information.

Climate Capitalism

Climate Capitalism
Author: L. Hunter Lovins
Publisher: Hill and Wang
Total Pages: 402
Release: 2011-04-12
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1429966653

Believe in climate change. Or don't. It doesn't matter. But you'd better understand this: the best route to rebuilding our economy, our cities, and our job markets, as well as assuring national security, is doing precisely what you would do if you were scared to death about climate change. Whether you're the head of a household or the CEO of a multinational corporation, embracing efficiency, innovation, renewables, carbon markets, and new technologies is the smartest decision you can make. It's the most profitable, too. And, oh yes—you'll help save the planet. In Climate Capitalism, L. Hunter Lovins, coauthor of the bestselling Natural Capitalism, and the sustainability expert Boyd Cohen prove that the future of capitalism in a recession-riddled, carbon-constrained world will be built on innovations that cutting-edge leaders are bringing to the market today. These companies are creating jobs and driving innovation. Climate Capitalism delivers hundreds of indepth case studies of international corporations, small businesses, NGOs, and municipalities to prove that energy efficiency and renewable resources are already driving prosperity. While highlighting business opportunities across a range of sectors—including energy, construction, transportation, and agriculture technologies—Lovins and Cohen also show why the ex–CIA director Jim Woolsey drives a solar-powered plugin hybrid vehicle. His bumper sticker says it all: "Osama bin Laden hates my car." Corporate executives, entrepreneurs, environmentalists, and concerned citizens alike will find profitable ideas within these pages. In ten information-packed chapters, Climate Capitalism gives tangible examples of early adopters across the globe who see that the low-carbon economy leads to increased profits and economic growth. It offers a clear and concise road map to the new energy economy and a cooler planet.

Vehicle Propulsion Systems

Vehicle Propulsion Systems
Author: Lino Guzzella
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 345
Release: 2007-09-21
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 3540746927

The authors of this text have written a comprehensive introduction to the modeling and optimization problems encountered when designing new propulsion systems for passenger cars. It is intended for persons interested in the analysis and optimization of vehicle propulsion systems. Its focus is on the control-oriented mathematical description of the physical processes and on the model-based optimization of the system structure and of the supervisory control algorithms.

Sustainagility

Sustainagility
Author: Patrick Dixon
Publisher: Kogan Page Publishers
Total Pages: 232
Release: 2010-05-03
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0749460849

Sustainagility is about the ability to solve some of the world's most complex sustainability challenges with rapidly evolving business innovations, applications, methods, products and processes, adapted to changing situations. The book looks at how innovation and agility can save the world from the environmental disasters that face it. In addition, it sets forth positive ways in which businesses and individuals can deal with the issues and positively benefit from them. Sustainagility includes text boxes containing shocking statistics about the destruction of our planet, short inspiring examples of how innovation has created new profitable business and helped the world, and personal messages from global leaders about sustainable innovation. Case studies of numerous well-known, high-profile companies are featured - demonstrating companies that have successfully used innovative and agile ideas and processes to improve their businesses and fight some of the greatest threats to the world's ecosystems. Subjects covered include: Power; future cities; transport; manufacturing; water and wood; health and food; venture capital; carbon offsetting and banks; business agility and open innovation; 10 steps to profitable sustainability.