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More 60-Second Earth
[Below is the original script. Some changes may have been made during the recording of this audio podcast.]
In the U.S. alone, our cars' tailpipes spew some 1.2 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. This is a big part of why our global climate is changing. But there are a lot of ways to cut back on that pollution—without switching to alternative fuels or electric cars.
That's because internal combustion engines, despite a century of tinkering, have a lot of room for improvement in efficiently converting gasoline to power.
For instance, simply changing the action of intake and exhaust valves in a car while it is running could significantly improve gas mileage. And that's technology that exists today.
Simple changes in our driving could help too. Turning off the engine when idling, making sure tires are properly inflated, coasting to red lights rather than slamming on the brakes and slowly accelerating from a stop—all can boost fuel efficiency as evidenced by hypermilers, those who have mastered the art of traveling hundreds of miles on a few gallons of gas.
Ultimately, hybrid vehicles and electric cars—whether powered by batteries or fuel cells—will deliver even more environmental rewards. But until they are widely available, simple changes to the internal combustion engine—and the way we drive—could as much as double gas mileage.
—David Biello
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9 Comments
Add CommentWhile the techniques mentioned and "hypermilers" can achieve substantial improvements in gas mileage, those who preach and practice these things don't mention how they impact others in traffic, which doesn't mean heavy traffic. A leisurely acceleration from a traffic signal may leave others to sit unnecessarily through a light cycle which will clearly negate in large measure any gains the dawdling drivers achieve. Turning an engine off and on when it isn't an integral part of the system, such as the hybrid Prius and others will also lead to the same delays for other drivers.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisReduced consumption could be achieved by drivers who pay attention to what is going on around them and being prepared to move when a light changes.
hypermiling by overinflating your tires also causes excessive wear on treads, and last time i looked there are a lot of used tires laying around in landfills. I agree with RHP that sitting too long may make someone sit at a light longer, but sudden accelerations aren't going to help if all you acheive is reaching the next red light first.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishypermiling by overinflating your tires will cause excessive and uneven treadwear, and saving a few cents per however miles per gallon you save seems petty compared to the cost of the tires you will soon have to replace. While i see how doddling from a green light might cause other drivers to get stuck through another light cycle, but sudden accelerations are just going to leave you reaching the next red light before anyne else.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThat 60 seconds was laughably vacant.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSo how do we get our cities to recognize that traffic lights on sensors have a serious impact on efficiency? Apart from rush hour, which will always be a nightmare, youll get stopped at every light along an arterial because of one vehicle waiting at the most insignificant cross street. Because you were waiting at the previous stoplight, his stoplight senses the gap in traffic in front of you, lets him go stopping you yet again a mere block down the road.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisPortland, OR, gushes all over itself for its traffic calming prowess, but our illustrious traffic engineers seem incapable of considering traffic facilitation as part of the solution. Treat complex intersections as a unit, time lights to let major thoroughfares flow, and you get less idling, lower emissions, and better gas mileage. And, as a bonus, you dont get people cutting through residential neighborhoods to avoid the backups.
The author needs to be introduced to basic thermodynamics which proves the maximum achievable efficiency for a piston-cylinder internal combustion engine is less than 50%
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHey, if everyone stops going to work there will be HUGE savings because cars will be driven so much less.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMakes about as much sense as some of the airheaded suggestions above.
CO2 is a finite and beneficial gas and should not be used as an excuse to take control over society. CO2 is down 94% since animals started on land. Even if you believe global warming is real, start first by reducing methane (22X worse), and N2O (296X worse). Eliminate ethanol mandates and you'll reduce GWG effect by lowering N2O emissions from fertilizer used to grow feedstock. Promote burning of biomass for fuel accelerating CO2 formation, but reducing rot which releases methane (which after 9 years oxidizes to CO2 anyway).
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIt certinley appears that the commentors are smarter then this contributor.
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