How Fuel efficient is your car?

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 7:25 am

gyre wrote:http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/03 ... neeri.html

60 Minutes alluded to this.

Lotus Engineering, in partnership with Eaton, is working on enabling advanced combustion control based on an electro-hydraulic valve system with full flexible control over valve timing, lift and velocity.

The fully variable valve timing system, known as Active Valve Train (AVT), will allow application of advanced engine control strategies such as HCCI (Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition) systems, mixed-mode implementation of HCCI and convention spark ignition (SI) or compression ignition (CI), fast start, variable firing order, differential cylinder loadingâ€”and ultimately, air hybridization, according to Lotus engineers.

AVT offers the ability to run different valve profiles (trapezoidal or triangular) and to open and close valves more than once per engine cycle. The valve system could support a pneumatic hybrid application in which air is pumped to a receiver during vehicle braking. The engine would then function as an air motor for launch, and have access to enhanced turbocharging capability.

Dog, how i long for my model A Ford..

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 7:47 am

unjonharley wrote: Dog, how i long for my model A Ford..

If it ran on ugliness, you wouldn't need it to be very efficient.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 9:40 am

Captain Goddammit wrote:
unjonharley wrote: Dog, how i long for my model A Ford..
If it ran on ugliness, you wouldn't need it to be very efficient.

and a size 10 to you

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 4:32 pm

Last week some time, the Wisconsin State Journal had an article about a Madison, Wisconsin area start up who are going to manufacture gasoline from such material as switchgrass, corn stalks, and other such inedibles. The research they are using comes straight from the University of Wisconsin, and their new CEO is the former head of BP Solar, and at least some of their funding is coming from Royal Dutch Shell. They claim that their process will be competitive when oil is at least $60 per barrel. (I'll try to remember to look for the article when I get home tonight-- assuming I am not too burned out from snow removal.)

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 4:46 pm

BAS wrote:Last week some time, the Wisconsin State Journal had an article about a Madison, Wisconsin area start up who are going to manufacture gasoline from such material as switchgrass, corn stalks, and other such inedibles. The research they are using comes straight from the University of Wisconsin, and their new CEO is the former head of BP Solar, and at least some of their funding is coming from Royal Dutch Shell. They claim that their process will be competitive when oil is at least $60 per barrel. (I'll try to remember to look for the article when I get home tonight-- assuming I am not too burned out from snow removal.)

Hemp would work. If we could grow it. Once strated it like dandelion. It will grow anywhere.

Apollonaris Zeus · Post by **Apollonaris Zeus** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:06 pm

The DEA won't allow the legalization of hemp because they can't tell the difference.

their so dumb they haven't figured out that all you have to do is smoke it to find out

and their too busy framing people as pedophiles so the FBI wastes their time investigating people framed by the DEA.

Its time for the DEA to go!

AIIZ

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 7:40 pm

Bout time to Johnny Appelseed this country.

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 10:09 pm

I found the article I was talking about. It was in the Sunday, December 7, 2008 issue. The company is Virent Energy Systems. http://www.virent.com The fuel is supposed to have the same chemical composition as gasoline. They can also make jet fuel and diesel fuel. They are "collaborating with Royal Dutch Shell in a five-year collaboration to develop the biogas." They have 75 employees and are constructing a plant to make 10,000 gallons of fuel a year. They project to be making 10 millions of gallons of fuel per year in three years. They plan to go commercial when they reach 100 million gallons. (They think that will happen in five to seven years.)

They say that the agricultural sources they use are "wood waste, switchgrass, sugar cane plant residue, and cornstalks."

The article also says that the cost of producing the fuel is comparable to $50 to $60 dollars a barrel. And that small scale plants can be built anywhere, close to biomass.

Apollonaris Zeus · Post by **Apollonaris Zeus** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 8:53 am

OPEC to cut oil production!

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2008/12/ ... -opec.html

The oil companies along with the White Collar theives in DC and Wall St. have suck US dry. To counter act their moves we must cut consumption.

The world must cut demand by 20%

That means you!

Remember $4.00 Gallon says, I'll be Back!

AIIZ

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 10:10 am

Drive the van enough 4 up keep. Shopping is electic, that can ride city bus all the way (44mi) 2 Portland. Have two nice bikes too.. Looking for genorator stand for touring bike. Would be good to ride this winter

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 10:51 am

I'm getting set to build some velomobiles for myself. If gas hits $5/gallon, maybe mass production would be worthwhile? (A friend of mine says he thinks velomobiles will always be a niche market, but he doesn't understand niche markets. They can be quite profitable if they are worked right! [Whether or not I could work one right remains to be seen!])

I might sell the ones I have built, anyway, since improvements would be an ongoing process. I just don't believe enough of the U.S. general population will be willing to consider a non-motorized alternative until fuel prices are at least as high as they are in the Netherlands and Germany, where velomobiles have made some in-roads.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 12:03 pm

Velo recumbent lost favor. they were to low to see over car hoods. U would be committed to traffic before you can see.

I have a Honda Express. Could add a side car/wheel. Someone want draw up a cab for me?

Muramasa · Post by **Muramasa** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 12:42 pm

I walk the earth, getting into adventures. 100% human powered!

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 12:47 pm

Muramasa wrote:I walk the earth, getting into adventures. 100% human powered!

That will after a lifetime of hard work and your 70+

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 6:45 am

unjonharley wrote:
I have a Honda Express. Could add a side car/wheel. Someone want draw up a cab for me?

I've got a perfect cab for you... it's all iron bars for unobstructed visibility, and the lock is on the outside.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 8:24 am

Captain Goddammit wrote:
unjonharley wrote:
I have a Honda Express. Could add a side car/wheel. Someone want draw up a cab for me?
I've got a perfect cab for you... it's all iron bars for unobstructed visibility, and the lock is on the outside.

They already told @ the home. You can't sell your cage until you learn to walk up right..

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 5:04 pm

unjonharley wrote:Velo recumbent lost favor. they were to low to see over car hoods. U would be committed to traffic before you can see.

I have a Honda Express. Could add a side car/wheel. Someone want draw up a cab for me?

I thought that the biggest problem they with the velomobiles being sold here in the US was that they were too wide, so cars didn't want to pass them and they snarled up traffic...?

Velomobiles are taller than recumbents, due to the full fairing. Especially ones like the Cab Bike, which has a more upright seat than the others. Anyway, I was thinking they might catch on (to some extent) when gas prices got high enough, which would also be when cars get smaller (like the Smart Car). It would still probably be a niche market, since people really do like to have a machine do the work for them.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 7:11 pm

<BAS>

I'd ride a cabed Ebike

Apollonaris Zeus · Post by **Apollonaris Zeus** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 8:40 am

klondike_bar · Post by **klondike_bar** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 12:07 am

my car runs on blood, sweat, tears, and gasoline.

well, mainly gasoline...

can't sit still · Post by **can't sit still** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 2:59 pm

This new tech may be a game changer for electric cars. It gets around the lithium batteries problems.
http://seekingalpha.com/article/115257- ... e_sb_picks

Apollonaris Zeus · Post by **Apollonaris Zeus** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:39 pm

Good article CSS!

Problem there is the ecological effect. Many lead smelters are going out of production because of clean air and land laws and the cost ratio effect of upgrading to meet them. Many of the sites are now under the superfund. Unless the price of lead rises then they won't upgrade thus defeating the low cost production advantage of producing the batteries.

i didn't read anything about the weight either

Air Car NOW!

AIIZ

can't sit still · Post by **can't sit still** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 8:43 pm

http://www.rense.com/general85/car.htm

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:34 pm

I just upgraded my fuel effecient fleet:

Apollonaris Zeus · Post by **Apollonaris Zeus** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:15 am

I have developed a new concept car. I call it the MÃ©nage Ã trois vehicle group.

Its basically a small hybred car just like a Prius but with some modifications.

The car can join up with other cars to save gas on the same route and then disconnect once one of the cars has reach it turn-off point and drive normally.

Once connected, the drive mecanisms are syncronized by a computer to become more energy efficient. If you are heading say out to burning man, several cars can copulate together.

Its an individual commuter and its a mass transit system all in one (or three)!

I'm looking for investors right now!

The MÃ©nage Ã trois, "never be alone again"!

Get connected today!

"Being in the middle has never been so Sweet!"

AIIZ

can't sit still · Post by **can't sit still** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 4:53 pm

Bill Gates plans to shake things up;
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/bill-g ... ,7517.html

capjbadger · Post by **capjbadger** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:50 am

Finally! Both the Tesla model S and the Zero S our out! Woot!

http://www.teslamotors.com/models/index.php

http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/zero-s.php

Badger

Apollonaris Zeus · Post by **Apollonaris Zeus** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 6:50 am

The Fiat/ GM deal may not happen without major labor concessions.

Too bad

it doesn't look good if Fiat isn't factored into GM since they have propriety rights to the most fuel efficient engines on the market.

AIIZ

Apollonaris Zeus · Post by **Apollonaris Zeus** » Wed May 06, 2009 8:24 am

Our government is going to pass a "Cash for Clunkers" bill that is going to be a waste of money, uneffective fuel improvement and another auto industry bailout bill! This bill needs to be rewritten NOW! Please send this letter to your congressional representatives.

"gas guzzlers could get $3,500 or $4,500 in government vouchers to use toward the purchase of new cars that get gas mileage that exceeds the old car's by four miles per gallon"

Four Fucking MPH will not improve a thing, but a waste that could total several billion dollars of Taxes and put money in the auto industry pockets and the oil industry!

http://money.cnn.com/2009/05/05/news/co ... 2009050518

Use this letter to email your rep:

Dear Honorable ______________,

I wish to voice my objection to the â€œCash-For-Clunkersâ€

Oldguy · Post by **Oldguy** » Wed May 06, 2009 12:46 pm

I still get 53 mpg on my old '91 Geo Metro beater. Why doesn't GM retool a closed plant to remake them? The small frame would be ideal for an electric model too. I'm still waiting for Detroit to get a clue.

How Fuel efficient is your car?

What is your gas mileage"