COMPARISON OF COSTS FOR AUTOMOBILE ENERGY CONSERVATION VS SYNTHETIC FUEL PRODUCTION

This preliminary analysis suggests that there are a large number of potential technical options for reducing energy consumption in automobiles. Furthermore, the cost to the user of purchasing these conservation options is less than the discounted cost of purchasing the additional fuel required if the conservation option is not chosen. There is a significant cost savings even if fuel costs remain at current levels. These savings would increase if fuel prices continue to rise or if more costly than synthetic fuels, at least for another 15 to 20 years. Cost-effective conservation could enable new vehicles to reach 40 to 50 mpg corporate average fuel economy by the year 2000. It is clear that the potential for making these changes exists, but better data are needed to evaluate many of these options and to ensure the development and implementation of those that are desirable. Specifically, there is a need for more applied research in government and industry laboratories. Key areas for this work are discussed here for: (1) optimized engine designs, and (2) efficient vehicle body structures.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Symposium on Automotive Propulsion Systrems, Dearborn, MI, USA, 14 April 1980.
• Corporate Authors:

  TRW Systems Group

  Washington Operations
  McLean, VA  United States  22101

  Department of Energy

  1000 Independence Avenue, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20585
• Authors:
  • Gorman, R
  • Heitner, K L
• Publication Date: 1980

Media Info

• Pagination: 32 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Automobiles; Cost effectiveness; Costs; Design; Economic efficiency; Energy conservation; Fuel consumption; Internal combustion engines; Motor vehicle bodies; Prices; Research projects; Synthetic fuels; Technology transfer; Vehicle design; Vehicle power plants
• Uncontrolled Terms: Comparative analysis; Efficiency; Research programs
• Old TRIS Terms: Automobile bodies; Automobile engines
• Subject Areas: Design; Economics; Education and Training; Energy; Environment; Finance; Highways; Research; Vehicles and Equipment; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00318254
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Contract Numbers: AC01-79PE70151
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 16 1981 12:00AM