QUANTITATIVE EFFECTS OF ACCELERATION RATE ON FUEL CONSUMPTION

One factor which has a significant effect on vehicle fuel consumption is the rate at which the vehicle is accelerated. Quantitative and qualitative studies have shown that more rapid and/or more frequent accelerations result in increased fuel consumption. The EPA has conducted a study to quantify the effects of operating a vehicle at different acceleration rates. The test involved accelerating the vehicle at a constant acceleration rate to a speed of 55 mph, and maintaining the 55 mph speed until total distance traveled equaled one mile. Conceptually, this may be viewed as entering a freeway system with different acceleration rates.

• Corporate Authors:

  Environmental Protection Agency

  Standards Development & Support Branch, 2565 Plymouth Road
  Ann Arbor, MI  United States  48105
• Authors:
  • Jones, R
• Publication Date: 1980-4

Media Info

• Pagination: 23 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acceleration (Mechanics); Fuel consumption; Motor vehicles; Performance tests
• Old TRIS Terms: Acceleration physics
• Subject Areas: Energy; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00318341
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: EPA-AA-SDSB-80-06 Tech Rpt.
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 16 1981 12:00AM