Comments on: Vehicle Efficiency Improvements

By: Neil Blanchard

Neil Blanchard — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:39:14 +0000

Hi Diane,

I kinda doubt that a fuel additive will help much, if at all.

Neil

By: Diane Powter

Diane Powter — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 07:18:30 +0000

Great site! My daughter is heading off to college and she will be commuting a lot so I actually bought her one of the Fuel Doctor FD-47 (not sure if you heard it), but am hoping it helps!

By: Neil Blanchard

Neil Blanchard — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:54:36 +0000

I’ve got another item that has indirect benefits: instead of thick foam and spring seats, they should be mesh or fabric stretched onto frames that provide the right ergonomic shape and provide good support without weighing so much, and taking up a lot of space. This allows a smaller and lighter vehicle because the size of car can be smaller and/or just have more room.

Neil

By: Neil Blanchard

Neil Blanchard — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:24:45 +0000

I’ve added two more items:

*Use GPS and elevation data to “learn” more efficient throttle control, that could be used on the highway (for cruise control) and/or it could be integrated into a “throttle-by-wire” control.

*Use an EV drive train, combining batteries and a supercapacitor, and a “smart” controller, that makes use of GPS and elevation data, to use the supercap for the high current regenerative charging and short(er) duration acceleration, and/or to then charge the battery at a rate that does not stress them. In other words, using the supercap as an I/O energy cache, to reduce the requirements on the battery. This can either reduce the cost of the battery, and/or increase the battery lifespan and probably increase range; especially in high traffic urban driving or in hilly conditions. Driving on flat terrain at (more or less) constant speed probably will be more dependent on the battery, and less on the supercapacitor.

Any more ideas you have, and/or discussion of what is already on my list — is welcome!

Sincerely, Neil

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 10:56:52 +0000

Wow! What a great list. Thanks Neil. Let’s get the car makers, their engineers and more people to see these suggestions. I love the idea of a throttle control. I hate my Prius cruise control. I also would like to see all high mpg models gauged to the hilt, any sensor or measure they should make available as a graph or a number. The manufactures should sell an eco model version of their cars. They may add a little extra cost, as they due in things like touring models, but they can show a decent mpg increase and give the consumers something to talk about, I bet they would sell.

By: natalie

natalie — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 11:17:00 +0000

This is pretty interesting! do you or any of the staff ever do radio interviews? We are interested in booking one about this. check out our webpage and let me know what you think. it would be for the morning show.

By: Neil Blanchard

Neil Blanchard — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:30:19 +0000

Here are two more suggestions from Don on the EcoModder.com forums:

Serial hybrids [should] use some of the energy near the end of the battery charge to run a block heater to warm up the ICE.

Use the ICE coolant system to cool the electric motor, the electric controller, and/or the battery pack — it would preheat the engine for start up & help to heat the cab reducing the need for electric heating.

By: crystalattice

crystalattice — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:53:25 +0000

I think one way car manufacturers could save money and weight is to replace many fittings with Velcro. As many people know, it is nearly impossible to pull apart when pulled sideways. Hence, vibrations won’t cause it to come loose over time, unlike metal fasteners. It also makes removal and replacement of parts quick and easy.

Obviously not every part can have Velcro on it but certain parts, such as bumpers and fenders, could use it.

By: Neil Blanchard

Neil Blanchard — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:56:27 +0000

Thanks Randy, I’m glad you found it useful.

Some of these are very low cost, if not a zero increase over what is already spent. Others will cost some in R&D, but again not too much different from what is already spent. I think a lot of the changes and expense that car makers are currently doing (to provide annual changes so they can sell a “new” model each year) could be refocused on making only qualitative changes — evolutionary changes, and all or most of these improvements that I’ve listed would have pretty good return on investment.

In the end, doing “the right thing” usually also is the least expensive. If only because the number of junked cars would be greatly reduced, and we would not have to fight wars over resources like oil.

Again, thanks for your comments.

Neil

By: Randy

Randy — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:54:01 +0000

Neil,

This is an *amazing* list of mods every car manufacturer should do.

Have you done any cost/benefit analysis? Or is this a case where it will cost more, but benefit society as a whole?

Great Article,
Randy