Introduction
 Fuel economy improvements directly
correlate to reductions in petroleum
consumption
 Average fuel economy of new light-duty
vehicles is 72% higher than in 1975
 Lighter materials, more advanced engines,
hybrid technologies
2
Lesson 1:
Introduction to
Fuel Economy
3
Objectives
 Define fuel economy
 Explain the basic history of fuel economy
 Describe how fuel economy improvements
may benefit health and the environment
 Explain the economic benefits of improved
fuel economy
 Describe how fuel economy affects energy
security
4
Definition of Fuel Economy
 A measure of how efficiently a vehicle uses
fuel
 Miles per gallon (MPG)
 Specific tests used to determine ratings
 Affected by vehicle design and operation
5
Steps to Calculate MPG
1. Fill up your vehicle and clear the trip odometer
2. Drive your normal route
3. Return to the same fuel station and fill up your
vehicle, noting the miles on the trip odometer
4. Divide the miles by the gallons that it just took to
fill up
The result will be your car’s miles per gallon for that
driving period. This should be done multiple times
to determine your average fuel economy.
6
Basic History of Fuel Economy
 Improvements with evolution of ICE
 Early vehicles = simplicity and cost
effectiveness
 Rising fuel prices around
the world
 Environmental concerns
Figure 1: Rising fuel prices. Source: NAFTC.
7
1973 Oil Embargo
 OPEC members stopped exporting oil to the
U.S. and its European allies
 Threats were made to cut oil production by
5% increments until economic and political
objectives were met
 National maximum speed
limit of 55 mph
 Petroleum rationing
Figure 2: Relative fuel economy begins to decrease
above 55 miles per hour. Source: Fueleconomy.gov.
8
Clean Air Act





Established the EPA
Sets fuel economy and emission standards
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
CO, HC, NOx, PM
Reduce emissions while improving fuel
economy
9
Figure 3: Example of emissions reduction trends for heavy-duty engines. Source: DOE.
10
Current Energy Crisis
 Mid 1980s to 2003: price for barrel of oil =
less than $25
 Late 2007: price for barrel of oil = more than
$100
 Decline in petroleum reserves, tension in the
Middle East, oil price speculation, etc
11
Figure 4: Petroleum price by year. Source: EIA.
12
Figure 5: Total U.S. oil supply, 1980-2011. Source: EIA.
13
Policies
 Fuel economy objectives in the next two
decades
 Reduce emissions and transportation costs
 Increase overall fuel economy
ICE Evolution
 Generally gasoline or diesel powered
 Engines have evolved to incorporate fuel
efficient techniques
14
Gasoline Engines
 First engines = inefficient and had low power
density
 Utilization of carburetor
 Electronically controlled fuel injection
Diesel Engines
 Heavy-duty applications
 High emitters of pollutant emissions
 Engine and exhaust modifications
15
What Affects Fuel Economy?
 Engine and vehicle design
 Fuel is used to create energy
 Road load equation shows where power is
consumed
 Consumption increases as engine power increases
 Power for accessories and auxiliary equipment
Engine Power = Power to Accelerate Vehicle + Power to
Overcome Wind Drag + Power to Overcome Road Grade
+ Power to Overcome Friction + Accessory Power
16
Fuel Economy Today
 EPA tracks emissions for all vehicles
 Fuel efficiency per given amount of power
 Increased standards put in place by the
Obama administration
 CAFE regulations
17
Manufacturer
 Must meet emissions requirements and fuel
economy requirements
 Advances in vehicle technology
 Transmission advances (i.e. CVT)
 Vehicle weight and size
 Vehicle aerodynamics
18
Consumers
 Fuel economy is greatly affected by how the
driver operates the vehicle
 Strategies to improve fuel economy for all
vehicles
 Each strategy may contribute a small amount
 Some strategies
 Proper tire inflation
 Unload unnecessary weight
 Use cruise control
19
Information from the U.S. Department
of Energy, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy (EERE) on fuel
economy information can be found
online at
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/ or by
phone at 1-877-377-3463.
20
Why Consider Fuel Economy
Improvements?
 Many fuel saving techniques can be
implemented at no cost
 Required vehicle maintenance
 Aftermarket products often do not work
 Driving habits
21
Advantages of Fuel Economy
Improvements
 Immediate fuel price savings
 Less petroleum consumption in the U.S.
 Research will create domestic job
opportunities
22
Additional Things to Consider
 Some advantages may not give immediate
results
 Purchasing more fuel efficient vehicles can
become costly
 Techniques may not be applicable for heavyduty vehicles
23
Fuel Economy Benefits
 Fuel efficient vehicles offer many benefits
 Reduced petroleum consumption
 Far-reaching benefits
24
Health Benefits




Decreased amounts of harmful emissions
Emissions may lead to respiratory illness
PM may be carcinogenic
Efficient vehicles will produce fewer of
these emissions
25
Environmental Benefits
 Fewer emissions
 Emissions may lead to the formation of
smog and acid rain
 Decreased GHG emissions
26
Did You Know?
The Federal Trade Commission has several tips for
consumers to save money:
• At the pump, check the owner’s manual for the
most effective octane level
• In the garage, stay up to date on maintenance of
the vehicle
• When shopping around for a new vehicle, be
skeptical about any gizmo that promises to
improve gas mileage
27
Economic Benefits
 Higher efficiency = lower fuel costs
 Many techniques can be implemented at
no charge to the driver
 Job creation in the research and
production sectors
 Government mandated emissions
standards
28
To calculate fuel costs and compare
savings for two vehicles, take a look
at:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/savemoney.shtml
29
Energy Security Benefits
 Reduced dependence on foreign oil
 About half of all oil consumed in the U.S. is
imported
 Stimulates economies outside of the U.S.
30
Upon completing this lesson, can you:
 Define fuel economy?
 Explain the basic history of fuel economy?
 Describe how fuel economy improvements
may benefit health and the environment?
 Explain the economic benefits of improved
fuel economy?
 Describe how fuel economy affects energy
security?
31
Test Your Knowledge
1. True or False: The higher the fuel economy of
a vehicle, the greater distance it may travel in
relation to the amount of fuel it consumes.
2. What is the most common unit of measure for
fuel economy?
3. Proper _____________ of tires can increase
vehicle fuel economy.
4. True or False: Consumers can apply strategies
to improve fuel economy only to new vehicles.
32
Lesson 2:
Fuel Economy Policies,
Infrastructure, and
Sustainability
33
Objectives
 Describe the policies that drive fuel economy
improvements
 Explain manufacturer and consumer methods
for implementing fuel economy improvements
 Describe how a basic infrastructure of
knowledge and practices can be distributed
 Explain how fuel economy improvements
relate to sustainability and cost efficiency
34
Fuel Economy Policies
 Policies and laws to deal with and promote fuel
efficiency
 Reduce air pollution, increase the use of domestic
energy
 Better driving habits
 Laws that pertain to air quality and vehicle emissions
standards:
 Clean Air Act of 1963
 Air Quality Act of 1967
 Clean Air Act Amendments of
1970
 Clean Air Act Amendments of
1977
Figure 6: U.S. Capitol building. Source: DOE.
35
Corporate Average Fuel Economy
(CAFE)
 Enacted by Congress in 1975
 Reduce energy consumption by increasing fuel
economy
 Response to 1973 Oil Embargo
 NHTSA and EPA work to set CAFE
 Average MPG of a fleet for any given model
year
 Changing requirements
36
Alternative Motor Fuels Act of 1988
(AMFA)
 Government must obtain a number of alcohol
and natural gas vehicles for federal fleets
 Interagency Commission on Alternative Motor
Fuels
Energy Policy Act (EPAct)
 Enacted in 1992 to accelerate the use of
alternative fuels
 Increase energy security by using domestic
fuels
37
Fuel Economy Policies of Today
 Obama administration raised fuel economy
requirements to 35.5 MPG by model year
2016
 Will save approximately 1.8 billion barrels of
oil
 Target of 54.5 MPG by
2025
 Drastic reductions in fuel
consumption
Figure 7: President Barrack Obama introduced new CAFE
standards in 2011. Source: whitehouse.gov.
38
EPA Fuel Economy Window Label
 New window labels for all new vehicles
 Annual fuel cost, average fuel savings, GHG
rating, smog rating
 Direct consumers to fueleconomy.gov
 Tips and practices to increase fuel
economy
39
Figure 8: New EPA window label for consumers. Source: EPA.
40
Vehicle Technology and Fuel
 Fuel type is displayed on window sticker
 Gasoline, natural gas, electric, diesel, hybrid
Fuel Consumption Rate
 Given fuel economy vs. individual fuel
economy
 Comparison of vehicles
 Driving techniques greatly
affect fuel economy
Figure 9: Other labels for alternative energy sources.
Source: EPA.
41
Figure 10: Gallons per mile measure of fuel economy. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
42
Alternative Fueled Vehicles
 Each fuel has a different energy content by
mass
 Miles per gasoline gallon equivalent (MPGe)
 Miles per gallon for gasoline and diesel
43
Figure 11: New fuel economy label for electric vehicle with fuel economy in units of MPGe. Source: EPA.
44
To see all of the new labels, visit
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/labe
l/docs/EPA_FE_Label-052311.pdf
45
Fuel Economy and Greenhouse Gases
 Ratings from 1 to 10 for fuel economy and
GHG emissions
 Higher fuel economy = better GHG emissions
profile
 CO2 emissions are given in grams per mile
46
Rating
MPG
CO2 (g/mile)
10
38+
0-236
9
31-37
237-290
8
27-30
291-334
7
23-26
335-394
6
22
395-412
5
19-21
413-479
4
17-18
480-538
3
15-16
539-612
2
13-14
613-710
1
0-12
711+
Figure 12: Fuel economy and CO2 levels. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
Figure 13: Scale as seen on window sticker. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
47
Smog Rating
 Emissions can lead to smog formation
 New window sticker identifies smog forming
emissions as “other air pollutants”
 Based on U.S. vehicle emissions standards
Figure 14 (left): Smog formed from environmental pollution. Source: DOE. Figure 15 (right): Smog scale for comparison for new vehicle purchase.
Source: fueleconomy.gov.
48
Fuel Economy and Emissions Test
Procedures
 Light-duty vehicles: chassis dynamometer
 Heavy-duty vehicles: chassis dynamometer, engine
dynamometer
 Five test cycles





City driving
Highway driving
Air conditioning usage
High speed driving
Cold conditions operation
 Federal Test Procedure (FTP)
49
Driving
Schedule
Attributes
Test Schedule
City
Highway
High Speed
AC
Cold
Temp
Trip Type
Low speeds in
stop-and-go
urban traffic
Free-flow
traffic at
highway
speeds
Higher
speeds;
harder
acceleration &
braking
AC use under
hot ambient
conditions
City test w/
colder outside
temperature
Top Speed
56 mph
60 mph
80 mph
54.8 mph
56 mph
Average
Speed
21.2 mph
48.3 mph
48.4 mph
21.2 mph
21.2 mph
Max.
Acceleration
3.3 mph/sec
3.2 mph/sec
8.46
mph/sec
5.1 mph/sec
3.3 mph/sec
Simulated
Distance
11 mi.
10.3 mi.
8 mi.
3.6 mi.
11 mi.
Time
31.2 min.
12.75 min.
9.9 min.
9.9 min.
31.2 min.
Stops
23
None
4
5
23
Idling time
18% of time
None
7% of time
19% of time
18% of time
Engine
Startup*
Cold
Warm
Warm
Warm
Cold
95ºF
20ºF
On
Off
Lab
temperature
Vehicle air
conditioning
68–86ºF
Off
Off
Off
Figure 16: Fuel economy and emissions tests characteristics. Source: EPA.
50
Figure 17: Federal Test Procedure drive cycle. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
51
Consumer Awareness
 Many new technologies may not be entirely
understood by the consumer
 Increased implementation will make these
technologies more common place
Window Sticker… Fine Print
 Individual fuel economy will vary greatly
 Driving conditions and habits will cause fuel
economy to fluctuate
52
Manufacturer Implementation
 Implementation of new technologies to
meet CAFE regulations and EPA standards
 Complex technologies
 Effects of technologies must be completely
disclosed to consumers
53
Consumer Implementation
 New and used vehicles
 Implementation may not involve capital
investment
 Fuel savings, cost savings
 May lead to better vehicle operation
54
Distribution and Infrastructure
 Distribution of Knowledge
 No physical alterations are needed
 Strategies can be implemented anywhere
 Social networking systems, smart phones will
help increase awareness of techniques
 Immediate nationwide effects
55
Infrastructure
 Government mandates, increased fuel
economy standards
 Educational network
 Feedback from new vehicle models
 Required vehicle monitoring systems (i.e. tire
pressure monitoring systems)
56
Gas Guzzler Tax
 Created in 1978 during the Oil Embargo
 Implemented to discourage consumers and
manufacturers from buying and producing
inefficient vehicles
 Applies to light-duty passenger cars only
57
Figure 18: Gas guzzler tax based on fuel economy. Source: epa.gov.
58
Sustainability
 Strategies and techniques are completely
sustainable
 Will help sustain other AFVs
 Step toward complete energy
independence
59
Did You Know?
Today’s vehicles are complex machines
with more than 3,000 interactive parts.
Regular maintenance of these vehicles
can extend vehicle life and reduce
carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Source:The Auto Alliance.
60
Cost Efficiency
 Small savings will add up to a large change
 If techniques and technologies are adopted
nationwide, the change will be pivotal
The Future of Fuel Economy
 CAFE standards and emissions requirements
 Manufacturer production and consumer
acceptance
 Various technologies and strategies
61
Upon completing this lesson, can you:
 Describe the policies that drive fuel economy
improvements?
 Explain manufacturer and consumer methods
for implementing fuel economy
improvements?
 Describe how a basic infrastructure of
knowledge and practices can be distributed?
 Explain how fuel economy improvements
relate to sustainability and cost efficiency?
62
Test Your Knowledge
1. True or False: Future fuel economy standards
will be lower than current standards.
2. What does the acronym CAFE stand for?
3. New window stickers will have a scale for fuel
economy and GHG emissions ratings as well as
_________ ratings from other emissions.
4. True or False: Implementing consumer fuel
economy strategies will require sophisticated
tools and vehicle modifications.
63
Lesson 3:
Fuel Efficient Vehicles
and Fuel Economy
Strategies
64
Objectives
 Explain typical differences between fuel
efficient and conventional vehicles using new
advanced technology
 Explain consumer strategies for improved fuel
economy and their effects
 Describe new fuel efficient vehicle
performance, safety, and maintenance
 Describe some fuel efficient production
vehicles
65
Differences Between Fuel Efficient
Vehicles and Conventional Vehicles
 Options for consumers
 Ranges of fuel economy/efficiency
 Personal vehicle preference
Figure 19 (left): Bentley Continental Flying Spur. Source: AFDC. Figure 20 (right): The Chevrolet Volt, 60 MPGe. Source: NAFTC.
66
What Affects Vehicle Fuel Economy?
 Engine and vehicle design
 Road load equation









Mass of the car
Vehicle acceleration
Density of the air
Drag coefficient
Frontal area of the vehicle
Velocity
Rolling resistance
Gravity
Road grade
67
Acceleration
 Energy required to propel the car to cruising
speed
 Multiple acceleration events = lower fuel
economy
Mass (Weight)
 Lighter vehicles typically = better fuel
economy
 New materials used for engine components
68
Cd and Area
 Smaller frontal area typically = better fuel
economy
 Low, sharp frontal area design
µ (Tire Choice)
 Rolling resistance tires
 Energy wasted from tire deformation
 Underinflated tires
69
Sinθ (Road grade)
 Hill terrain vs. flat terrain
 Maintaining required power
70
Technology of New Fuel Efficient
Vehicles





Variable valve timing and lift
Cylinder deactivation
Turbo chargers and super chargers
Integrated starter/generator
Direct fuel injection
71
Technology
Variable Valve Timing & Lift improves engine
efficiency by optimizing the flow of fuel & air
into the engine for various engine speeds.
Average Efficiency Increase
5%
Cylinder Deactivation saves fuel by deactivating
cylinders when they are not needed.
7.5%
Turbochargers & Superchargers increase engine
power, allowing manufacturers to downsize
engines without sacrificing performance or to
increase performance without lowering fuel
economy.
7.5%
Integrated Starter/Generator (ISG) Systems
automatically turn the engine on/off when the
vehicle is stopped to reduce fuel consumed
during idling.
Direct Fuel Injection (w/ turbo charging or
supercharging) delivers higher performance
with lower fuel consumption.
8%
11-13%
Figure 21: New engine technologies that improve fuel economy. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
72
Transmission Technology
 Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
 Automated Manual Transmission (AMT)
Technology
Average Efficiency Increase
Continuously Variable Transmissions
(CVTs) have an infinite number of "gears",
providing seamless acceleration and
improved fuel economy.
6%
Automated Manual Transmissions (AMTs)
combine the efficiency of manual
transmissions with the convenience of
automatics (gears shift automatically).
7%
Figure 22: New transmission technologies. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
73
Hybrid Electric Vehicles





Most fuel efficient production vehicles
ICEs and electric motors
Torque assist
Idle shutoff function
Switching between power sources
74
Fuel Efficient Vehicle Performance,
Safety, and Maintenance
 Early fuel efficient vehicles = undersized
engines and manual transmissions
 Newer fuel efficient vehicles = nearly
identical to conventional vehicles
 Hybrid technologies applied to light- and
heavy-duty vehicles
 Regular maintenance must also be
conducted
75
Consumer Strategies
 Can provide immediate fuel economy
benefits
 Require little additional cost, time, tools
 May be applied to any vehicle
Figure 23: Alternative fuel technologies. Source: NAFTC.
76





Slow down
Coasting
Cruise control
Tire pressure
Weight





Air conditioning
Rerouting
Maintenance
Transmission
Motor oil
Figure 24 (left): Cruise control button and controls. Source: fueleconomy.gov. Figure 25 (right): Extra weight can decrease vehicle fuel economy.
Source: fueleconomy.gov.
77
Fuel Efficient Vehicles
The following table presents some of the
most fuel efficient light-duty cars and
trucks for the 2012 model year.
78
EPA Class
Vehicle Description
Fuel
Economy
Combined
Honda CR-Z
Two-Seaters
4 cyl, 1.5 L, Automatic (AV-S7), HEV,
Regular
37
Minicompacts
Scion iQ
4 cyl, 1.3 L, Automatic (CVT), Regular
37
Subcompacts
Mitsubishi i-MiEV
A-1, 66 kW DCPM, Electric Vehicle
112‡
Compacts
Chevrolet Volt
4 cyl, 1.4 L, Automatic (AV), Plug-in Hybrid
60§
Midsize
Nissan Leaf
A-1, Electric Vehicle
99‡
Large
Hyundai Sonata
4 cyl, 2.4 L, Manual (6), Regular
Hyundai Sonata
4 cyl, 2.4 L, Automatic (6), Regular
28
Audi A3
4 cyl, 2.0 L, Automatic (S6), Diesel
34
Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen
4 cyl, 2.0 L, Manual (6), Diesel
34
Toyota Prius v
4 cyl, 1.8 L, Automatic (CVT), HEV, Regular
42
Small Station Wagons
Midsize Station Wagons
Figure 26: Most fuel efficient passenger cars for 2012 model year. Source: EPA.
79
EPA Class
Vehicle Description
Fuel Economy
Combined
Toyota Tacoma 2WD
Small Pickup Trucks
22
4 cyl, 2.7 L, Manual (5), Regular Gasoline
Chevrolet Silverado 15 Hybrid 2WD
8 cyl, 6.0 L, Automatic (CVT), Regular Gasoline
Chevrolet Silverado 15 Hybrid 4WD
8 cyl, 6.0 L, Automatic (CVT), Regular Gasoline
21
GMC Sierra 15 Hybrid 2WD
8 cyl, 6.0 L, Automatic (CVT), Regular Gasoline
GMC Sierra 15 Hybrid 4WD
8 cyl, 6.0 L, Automatic (CVT), Regular Gasoline
21
Sport Utility Vehicles
Ford Escape Hybrid FWD
4 cyl, 2.5 L, Automatic (CVT), Regular Gasoline
32
Minivans
Mazda 5
4 cyl, 2.5 L, Automatic (S5), Regular Gasoline
Mazda 5
4 cyl, 2.5 L, Manual (6), Regular Gasoline
24
Chevrolet Express 1500 2WD FFV
8 cyl, 5.3 L, Automatic (4), Regular Gasoline
Chevrolet Express 1500 AWD FFV
8 cyl, 5.3 L, Automatic (4), Regular Gasoline
14†
Ford E150 Wagon FFV
8 cyl, 4.6 L, Automatic (4), Regular Gasoline
14†
Azure Dynamics Transit Connect Electric Van
A-1, 52 kWAC, Electric
Azure Dynamics Transit Connect Electric Wagon
A-1, 52 kWAC, Electric
62‡
Standard Pickup Trucks
Passenger Vans
Special Purpose Vehicles
Figure 26: Most fuel efficient trucks and SUVs for 2012 model year. Source: EPA.
80
Heavy-duty Trucks (Tractor Trailers)
 Fuel economy around 6 MPG
 Integrating light-duty technologies into heavyduty trucks
 Fuel consumption may be reduced by up to
50%
 Heavy-duty hybrid electric vehicles
81
Upon completing this lesson, can you:
 Explain the typical differences between fuel
efficient and conventional vehicles including
new advanced technology?
 Explain consumer strategies for improved fuel
economy and their effects?
 Describe new fuel efficient vehicle
performance, safety, and maintenance?
 Describe some fuel efficient production
vehicles?
82
Test Your Knowledge
1. True or False: Carrying extra weight/cargo
can improve overall fuel economy.
2. __________ charging or ____________
charging technologies have allowed vehicle
manufacturers to utilize smaller, lighter engines.
3. Under inflated tires can reduce fuel economy
by up to ________%.
4. True or False: There are now options for
more fuel efficient cars, light-duty trucks, and
even heavy-duty trucks.
83