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University of Wisconsin Wins FutureTruck Competition
emmons writes: "The University of Wisconsin has won this year's FutureTruck Competition by reducing the greenhouse gas index of a Ford Explorer by 50% and increasing over-the-road fuel economy by 45%. The modified Explorer uses an aluminum/steel hybrid frame, a titanium exhaust system and sports a hybrid bio-diesel/electric engine. I saw the vehicle on campus a few months ago and got to talk to some of the team members- it's really quite impressive."
Yes, the changes could be implemented by the auto manufacturers - and with the economy of scale, it wouldn't be that much difference in cost compared to the price of the vehicle. Right now, though, unless forced to either by demand (unlikely) or legislation, the manufacturers will only produce the absolute lowest cost designs.
As for safety - a properly designed fram is safe regardless of the material, and aluminum alloys are stronger than steel for the same weight. The most dangerous part of most SUV designs is the tendency to roll over, anyway - and an aluminum body instead of steel would help considerably in reducing that tendency. (The center of gravity would be lower.)
The real problem is incentive. Right now, there is NO incentive for manufacturers to improve the mileage on SUVs of any kind. (They don't have to meet the EPA/DOT mandated mileage figures, and are actually a cash cow for the manufacturers - they are priced many K$ above the real cost, and people buy them regardless.)
Liquor
Sanity is a highly overrated commodity.
Of course, we could get the same fuel efficiency and reduction in pollution just by purchasing a reasonable mid-size car instead of a SUV.
Actually, if we're only talking $3K more on the initial price tag, sign me up...let's do some math.
(Before we begin, I live outside of D.C.)
Current gas price: $1.46/gal
Amount spent per week: around $23
Amount spent per year: 52 x $23 = $1196
Amount spent per year (45% better): $657.80
Savings: $538.20
So we're talking around 6 years to recoup your savings just from gas. I intend to have a car for >6 years, so yeah, I would buy this thing. Consider, also, gas prices have steadily gone up over the PAST 6 years, so you're actually talking about saving more than that.
--trb
The crude won't run out in 20 years. The *CHEAP* crude will run out in 20 years. Fat cat Washington politicos, network talking heads, the hereditary rich, and corporate robber barons will still be able to drive gas-guzzling behemoths, but the rest of us need to come up with another plan.
But what about the money you could've made by investing that $3K with an 8% interest rate:
3000*(1.08)^6 = 4,760.62
Gas would not cost you that much, even with the projected price increases.
That being said, there are other reasons to get a fuel efficient car than to save money. To help the environment. And, in my eyes, that's a very noble reason for spending a little extra money on a car.
But, regardless, you can't justify an extra $3K just based on money saved, because no money will be saved at all.