Are Automotive MPG Regulations Killing Car Innovation for the Consumer?

Should lawmakers, and the Obama Administration increase regulations on the miles per gallon that each individual car gets? Some automobile designers are complaining because if the cars have to get really good gas mileage, then there are only a few types of designs that cars can possibly have. A teardrop shaped car would get the best gas mileage above about 55 miles per hour. But if every car looks the same, then no one will have a car with any individuality that the person can stake their claim too.

In other words every BMW, Ford, Mercedes, Toyota, Honda, GM, Chrysler, Tata, or BYD will all basically look the same. The chance for individual differentiation by any one car maker basically goes out the window. There was an interesting article not long ago on WardsAuto Auto Industry Online News Website which asked a tough question; "Are Aerodynamic Requirements Killing Automotive Design" written by Byron Pope and published on June 20, 2011.

After I read this article, I decided to make a comment about it, and as I was preparing my outline to create this article, I noticed that in the news today, June 27, 2011 - the Obama Administration has asked for more regulation, and potential legislation to require that all automobiles by the year 2025 maintain an average of 52.5 miles per gallon.

It seems to me that this is possible, considering in the future we will have carbon nanotube and graphene coated composites. This will mean the vehicles will be more than substantially lighter in weight, because carbon composites can easily be made 20 times lighter than steel. That means the frame, body, and other support structures within the car won't weigh very much at all. Also very thin carbon nanotube construction can be used for the glass, and the glass on an average SUV weighs 600 pounds.

If we start removing 600 pounds of glass, and 1500-2500 pounds worth of steel from an average SUV, it is quite a bit lighter, therefore it will take less fuel, and even a smaller engine to propel it. Likewise, there are several new types of engines being created right now which are up to 30% more efficient. And even tires are becoming more efficient, one trucking company tire manufacture is producing a tire which is 4% more efficient right now.

As you start adding up all these efficiencies, we will have the technologies to make cars which get substantially better fuel mileage. As the price of fuel goes up, less fuel will be used, and the free-market will dictate, along with the buyers and businesses that the vehicles get better mileage. Personally I'm not so sure we need to mandate that, or put forth a regulation, we should let the free market decide.

And yes as the article above pointed out aerodynamics is a significant part of fuel economy and efficiency. Anytime you reduce the coefficient of drag, especially over 55 miles an hour, where it makes a big difference, you reduce the wind resistance, thus requiring less energy to propel the car forward. Just as in a jet airplane.

And let's say a new car design is found to be very efficient, it will not be more than 1 to 2% efficient than a teardrop, and then there will only be two basic body styles; the new design, or a teardrop, take your pick. Not much choice there. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes writing 23,777 articles by 7 PM on June 27, 2011 is going to be difficult because all the letters on his keyboard are now worn off now..

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Automotive and Aviation Composite Skin and Battery Bodies

Several companies in the automotive sector are talking about using the body of a car as the batteries for hybrid automobiles. Volvo seems to be leading the charge or at least is one of the companies which has been promoting the concept in Public Relations pieces. Indeed, I suppose the military is all over this sort of research and development, perhaps in their aerospace "black-projects" and we just haven't heard about this.

Years ago, the concept came to mind and I was trying to reason just how this might work. I had conceived a graphene/carbon nanotube composite covered with a non-conductive material outer and inner skin as part of the composite strategy. This would keep the material from shocking occupants or anything it touched. Since carbon nanotubes and graphene conduct electricity, and if copper was put inside the nano-tubes, or some other such material, these sheets could become not only part of the car's structure but also its battery.

Why bother you ask? Well, several reasons.

Space: batteries take up a lot of space in modern-day hybrid cars. That space could be used for luggage and storage, or the cars could be made smaller, or have additional pop-up seats in case extra passengers were to be taken.

Weight: batteries weigh a lot, even ion lithium batteries or nickel hydride batteries weigh quite a bit. By reducing the weight, you could also reduce the size of the motor for the car. Remember also that carbon Nanotubes for this could be part of the structure of the car and eliminate many large frame pieces which are generally made out of steel, reducing the weight even further. And remember carbon Nanotubes are 50 times stronger than steel, and they don't rust.

Efficiency: it has been estimated that batteries made from carbon nanotube structures, and carbon foam would be more efficient than the insides of the current ion lithium batteries.

Cost: since the skin of the car would be the battery for the car, and the superstructure as well, this would lower the cost of the car. Currently many hybrids such as the Toyota Prius have batteries which cost between 7,500 and 10,000 dollars. And often they need to be re-replaced every eight years.

Indeed, there are a lot of reasons why graphene and carbon nanotube composites are a better choice for car batteries. Please consider all this and think on it. If you are an engineer, scientist, or an expert on hybrid Automobiles, please shoot me an e-mail at your earliest possible convenience.

Lance Winslow is the Founder of the Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders, and general all around brilliant minds. Lance Winslow hopes you've enjoyed today's discussion and topic. http://www.worldthinktank.net/ - Have an important subject to discuss, contact Lance Winslow.

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Synthetic Automotive Products

There is a wide variety of automotive products offered that are completely synthetic. What it means to be synthetic is that the product itself is chemically engineered to last longer than its traditional counterpart, and that it performs at a higher standard when presented with extreme use. If you want the best performance out of any type of oil or lubricant that goes into a vehicle, the best way to go is using a completely synthetic fluid instead of the cheaper product that is available.

The most popular synthetic product put out is motor oil. Many companies have created special motor oil that is completely synthetic for trucks, cars, performance vehicles, high mileage cars, and for commercial trucks that are on the road for nearly all hours a day. Each of these different types of vehicles will use a different type of engine. That is why there are different synthetic oils available for each different type of motor. If you want your engine to last longer and perform better on a daily basis, be sure to use synthetic oil with each oil change.

The other most popular synthetic products available to consumers are brake fluid and transmission fluid. Both of these fluids are used when the car runs, which is why you want to have the best available fluid on the market in your transmission, or in your brake fluid reservoir. AMSOIL developed synthetic solutions for both of these different types of fluids because they know the abuse that they take. They want people to have a properly performing car that lasts as long as possible, which explains why they have developed so many different types of synthetic solutions.

Outside of the more well-known products such as motor oil or transmission fluid, companies have developed a synthetic option for any type of grease, fluid, or lubricant that can be found inside a car or its engine. There have always been trend setters when it comes to this market of products, and they have always taken pride into creating the best fluids available on the market, period. Simple grease used to lubricate a bolt can be bought so that it never wears down and that it is always functioning - thanks to engineers. Next time you go to do your regular maintenance to your vehicle, no matter if you are a daily commuter or a trucker, be sure you are using synthetic oils and fluids so that your car performs the best it can for you on a consistent basis.

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