Trends and new developments in the automotive industry

Conference · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1980 · 45th API Refining Dep. Midyear Meet. Prepr.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6273926

Gratch, S

The trends and new developments in the automotive industry that have led to a 55% increase in fuel economy since 1974 or a saving of 500 million bbl of oil, are automobile powertrain efficiency improvements and 650 lb average weight reduction in domestically produced cars. Future developments in the conventional spark-ignited internal combustion engine that could increase fuel economy by 15% include: better fuel control and combustion chamber design; optimized compression ratio; increased use of electronic control systems, improved lubricants, turbocharging with downsized engine displacement, improved matching of transmission to axle ratio, locked-up overdrive transmissions with neutral idle, and a variable speed accessory drive. Alternative powerplants include: the stratified charge, diesel, electric, turbine, and stirling engines. Continued reductions in vehicle weight, both by downsizing and by increased use of aluminum and plastics, are expected to provide another 10% reduction in fuel consumption. Factors that could act as constraints to these developments are automobile costs, performance, functional utility, safety, emission standards, and design-to-production timing.

• OSTI ID: 6273926
• Report Number(s): CONF-8005115-
• Journal Information: 45th API Refining Dep. Midyear Meet. Prepr.; (United States), Vol. 2-80; Conference: 45. midyear refining meeting, Houston, TX, USA, 15 May 1980
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
AUTOMOBILES
FUEL ECONOMY
WEIGHT
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
EFFICIENCY
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION
ENGINES
HEAT ENGINES
INDUSTRY
VEHICLES
320203* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Transportation- Land & Roadway