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Study Assesses Product Attribute Trade-offs and Technological Progress; Meeting Proposed Obama Fuel Economy Standards Will Require Downsizing and Change in Fleet Mix

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Based on detailed model-level data for US light-duty vehicles from 1980 to 2006, a recent analysis by a UC Davis researcher found that if weight, horsepower and torque had been held at their 1980 levels, fuel economy for both passenger cars and light trucks could have increased by nearly 50% from 1980 to 2006. Knittel, 2009.

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Team from GM, Ford, FCA reviews how to calculate engine efficiency benefits of high octane fuels

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A higher compression ratio can be used if an engine will operate primarily at light loads, such that degraded efficiency at high loads is more than offset by improved efficiency at light loads. Davis, Asim Iqbal, Ronald A. A higher compression ratio can also be used if an engine will operate on fuel with a higher octane rating.

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GFEI report finds improvements in average new LDV fuel economy lagging pace required to cut 50% fuel use for new cars worldwide by 2030; policy focus should be on emerging markets

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Worldwide, light-duty vehicle (LDV) fuel economy is not improving fast enough to cut average fuel use by 50% for all new cars by 2030, according to a working paper issued by the Global Fuel Economy Initiative ( GFEI ). —“International comparison of light-duty vehicle fuel economy”. Source: GFEI. Click to enlarge. Earlier post.)

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Mixed Outlook for Mainstream Consumer Adoption of PHEVs

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Bubble chart of plausible mainstream PHEV buyers’ battery requirements (light and dark gray circles) and experts’s requirements overlaid on a Ragone plot of NiMH and Li-ion batteries. Source: Ken Kurani. Click to enlarge. or below; advanced accessories; and a mild hybrid drivetrain.

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Developing Fords EcoBoost Combustion System

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Ford’s turbocharged, gasoline direct injection EcoBoost engines are targeted to play a significant near-term role in Ford’s efforts to reduce fuel consumption by enabling downsizing. The first application of this technology bundle in a 3.5L port fuel injected (PFI) V8 engine. Earlier post.). Development and Optimization of the Ford 3.5L

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Using the PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle) to Transition Society Seamlessly and Profitably From Fossil Fuel to 100% Renewable Energy

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and UC-Davis Emeritus and Catherine JJ DeMauro. He holds more than 35 patents (12 of which belong to UC Davis), has published more than 100 papers, and is an internationally recognized subject matter expert. In fact, the optimized PHEV is much more efficient as a long range liquid fuel vehicle, because the engine is downsized.

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