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While the tighter CAFE standards will have a minimal effect on spurring the development of new technologies, other measures in the new federal energy law could stimulate more transformative, long-term change. Genevieve Cullen, vice president of the Electric Drive Transportation Association, in Washington, DC, points to the law's support for research on, and demonstration and manufacturing of, electric-vehicle technologies such as lithium batteries and advanced motors. The law authorizes, for example, $450 million in grants to companies and state and local governments to demonstrate the use of plug-in hybrid vehicles, and up to $25 billion for direct loans to support manufacturing. "Congress needs to now provide the money for these programs," says Cullen, referring to the separate process in which funds are appropriated for each fiscal year.
A hoped-for $3,000-to-$5,000-per-vehicle tax credit for buyers of plug-in hybrids could have further stimulated demand for advanced vehicles but was struck from the bill at the last minute, along with a tax hike for oil producers that would have funded it. Therese Langer, transportation program director for the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, a Washington-based think tank, says that thanks to the high cost of batteries, the tax credit would probably have only cut in half the incremental cost of a plug-in vehicle. "That's really nice for someone who's prepared to shell out thousands of bucks for a plug-in," she says, "but it's not going to cause plug-ins to make a dent in total vehicle sales."
A technology coming to Chrysler vehicles can improve the fuel economy of standard gasoline engines by 25 percent.
The president clears away obstacles to reducing U.S. gasoline consumption.
Moving too quickly on alternative fuels could backfire, says one expert on ethanol fuels.
Reduce octane to increase gas supply
The ultimate goal is to use less oil, which doesn't always translate into higher CAFE standards. If all oil companies reduced the octane rating of their finest premiums from 93 to 92, it would increase the nation's gasoline production efficiency by roughly 2 percent—or, in laymen's terms, it would enable us to squeeze another 182,000 barrels of usable gasoline out of our crude oil supply each day. Over a full year, the reduction would save us about 143.1 million barrels of oil annually—enough to satisfy our national oil demand for about seven days. How about having all cars designed to run on 87 octane and eliminate the higher octanes?
For a country and president that supposedly believes in technological solutions to the problem of global warming this legislation is an abismal failure to act . In a country where people regularly drive long distances , why would any american motorists mind having vehicles with the very best miles per gallon , or does the government WANT people to consume more fuel .
As for drilling for new oil...
Not to get political, but the mistake currently occupying the White House did make one correct statement: We are addicted to oil. Drilling for new oil is like a drug addict dumping his present supplier and finding another. Nothing gets solved.
Guest (Bruce in CO)
More than half of the oil used worldwide is for non-transportation purposes, such as plastics and other raw materials. Look around where you are currently sitting and see if there is anything near you that isn't made out of a petroleum derivative. There won't be much - even the varnish on the wooden bookshelves probably use oil. Anyway, focusing on CAFE standards while ignoring everything else will not solve the imported oil issue. I believe it was a Saudi prince who once said something along the lines of "it's okay if you stop using gas for your cars, we are more than happy to sell you the raw materials for all of your products."
Last I heard less than 15 of the world CO2 was from cars. the money and brains should have been spent on things that would have a real difference. And the world has lots of oil. Its owned by people who hate us. There is far too much CO2 already here. Artificial trees, using a solution of sodium hydroxide could pull this down past 1930 levels. with the money from the war on cars.
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olmon
32 Comments
New Cafe Standards
This whole deal is a BAD joke. There is so much currently usable technology that the auto manufacturers could double the mileage figures on every model they have by next year without breaking a sweat. The technology has been available for the past 30+ years to have the typical passenger car to be capable not only of double to triple the current MPG figures but also to have better performance.
The only way they get away with the BS that is being dished out is because the general public is so ignorant of any and all technology advances that actually have and are being made.
http://www.3wheelers.com/fuelva.html
http://www.fev-now.com/index.php?page=xr3_hybrid
http://www.valentintechnologies.com/concept/default.asp
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gabrielg01
450 Comments
Re: New Cafe Standards
So true! In fact, we don't even need to deploy any new technology to achieve these fuel standards. If Europe has a 40 mpg fuel standard today, as the article says, then all we have to do is build cars to the European standards. Mind you, these car companies are global, so they have the know-how, the licenses, everything they need to increase fuel efficiency now. But they just simply don't want to improve the fuel economy. They are so utterly disgusting. They opposed even the current increase in efficiency.
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lkrndu
36 Comments
NON imported oil? Nope.
It's even worse than what the preceding comments convey. The trap is in this phrase in the article's very first sentence: '...a significant step toward trimming U.S. drivers' increasing greenhouse-gas emissions and dependence on imported oil.'
Nunnh-unnh. Won't be like that. QUADRUPLING fuel economy won't do it. Because? The supply of NON-imported oil is DECREASING. The US passed 'peak' in petroleum development -- oh -- way back in 1970 or so.
All of this is nutz.
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RD
212 Comments
Re: NON imported oil? Nope.
US has 800 billion barrels of recoverable, high quality shale oil in the Rockies that would cost about $20-30/barrel to recover with thermal in-situ, CO2 injection technology per the Rand Institute 2005 Study. What we lack is the political will.
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ChuckInReno
20 Comments
Re: NON imported oil? Nope.
Shale oil in the Green River formation will be developed. It's coming. See http://money.cnn.com/2007/10/30/magazines/fortune/Oil_from_stone.fortune/index.htm for some background.
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nibbircii
2 Comments
Re: NON imported oil? Nope.
Oil is a globally priced commodity, so to reduce the price in the US you really must decrease the price globally. You won't do this by making people drive tiny 50 mpg cars. Not with the Chinese and Indian economies growing the way they are.
The answer is to find more oil and stabilize the value of the dollar.
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ricke8592
3 Comments
Re: New Cafe Standards
Remember, politicians do not "create" anything. All they can really do is throw our money at something and hope it causes the desired change. But public laws do not change the natural laws of supply and demand. Other posters are right in that increasing CAFE does not solve the basic problem; at best it just delays (or extends, depending upon your point of view) the pain a bit. The transition to a non oil based economy will happen. The only remaining question is whether it will be a smooth one, or a messy one.
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azwaverider
1 Comment
Re: New Cafe Standards
The cars of the 70s: Datsun, Toyota, Dodge had the omni, Fiat, Volkswagon...all got good milage. I had a 68 Opal that got 35mpg city driving! The technology IS here and Nixon forced them to use it, Bush won't because he and his buddies haven't made enough money yet. Why did they offer the farm equipment replacement tax credits to the general public to buy oversized vehicles?
In the last decade this NASCAR/redneck mentality has created a society of bigger, bigger, bigger. Why do all our vehicles have to look like they're on steroids or peddle cars?
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greenecotek
1 Comment
Re: New Cafe Standards
Green Eco Tek LLC.
570 Central Ave. Bldg. G
Lake Elsinore California 92530
Subject: Café Standards
Date: 1-27-2008
Dear President Obama,
Congratulations on becoming President. Your press secretary discussed the CAFE standards at this week at a press conference:
"The actions that the President took today put us on the path when we realize a fuel efficiency standard of 35 miles to the gallon -- it's 27.5 now -- 35 miles to the gallon will constitute a savings of 2 million barrels of oil a day, which is roughly comparable to the amount of oil that we import each day from the Persian Gulf."
Your press secretary further stated:
"I think what ultimately we'll come up with is something that moves along the twin goals of ensuring a strong manufacturing sector while at the same time ensuring that we take the necessary steps to reduce our dependence on foreign oil."
We agree with you. We have a solution that will make this a reality today and we will not have to wait until 2011 to breathe clean air or reduce our fuel costs. Our patented bio-friendly fuel additive Omstar D-1280X has been extensively tested by CARB and EPA- accredited labs over the last 22 years. Omstar D-1280X is compatible with all fuels and can reduce fuel consumption by 22% on average while also reducing emissions across the board by 52% (GHG reductions between 6-8 percent) for all vehicles. LAX Shuttle Service tested D-1280X for 4 years, and 8,000,000 miles, showing an 89% reduction in smoke opacity (PM), and 15% increase in Mpg. The Port of LA tested D-1280X on a ship from APL. The results showed a substantial decrease in stack emissions (ash), shorter engine recovery time (74% faster, meaning more usable horsepower), reduced engine heat (46%), and 63% reduction in smoke opacity. APL had got an award for their clean air initiatives from the City of Los Angeles. The US Marine Corps tested D-1280X on heavy diesel support fleet, showing a 77% reduction in black smoke, and a 69% increase in Mpg. South Coast AQMD & E.W Saybolt, tested D-1280X, and showed that it is 99.99976% ashless upon combustion, and free from toxic residues and metals.
Let not stop with vehicles and use Omstar D-1280X for motorcycles, off-road vehicles, trains, construction equipment, ships and airplanes as well. Our additive should be mandatory in all fuel used in the USA. Saving $150,000,000,000.00 in oil imports is 20% of our yearly consumption and we can achieve that by simply putting Omstar D-1280X in the fuel. The money saved can be spent on renewable energy investments, such as wind, and solar. Our education system is suffering with several budget cuts and layoffs. Not to mention avoiding passing this high foreign- oil bill and vehicle R&D bill to the taxpayer.
The Big Three automakers are in trouble and can ill afford this financial burden alone, and do not need to re-invent the automobile as we know it, when cheaper, more effective, simple and immediate solution like D-1280X exists now, with an ROI for the government. While the oil companies might disagree, reformulating the fuel (hopefully with our additive) is a vital part of the solution. Do not let the oil companies stop us! We have waited 22 years to be heard and would like your support in achieving our objective to reduce our foreign dependence on oil while also reducing our emissions and costs. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Sean McDonald
President
Phone: (951) 259-5169
www.greenecotek.com
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