Comments on: MIT Researcher Explains Why Gas Mileage is Still Low Despite Advances in Fuel Economy

By: amandanic

amandanic — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 17:34:47 +0000

A tax on gas? Yeah let’s go all communist and keep Americans from driving because there is a tax on gas. First of all, taxes are already included in the price per gallon. Second of all, Americans need to be given more options of affordable cars that do the climate good rather than pollute more.

By: sammael

sammael — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:38:42 +0000

@zeppflyer
I don’t know if you are aware but both European and Asian cars have far MORE safety features, heavier safety glass, stronger brakes, etc, in their domestic markets. To the point that you can’t use same model Mercedes american parts in european car. Yet they are more fuel efficient AND safer.
They also cost A LOT more.
What I am saying is:
You can have
1: Cheap (or atleast affordable)
2: Fuel efficient
3: Safe

Pick two.

By: drm

drm — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:07:33 +0000

Over in Europe .The frankfurt auto shows . They are building mid-size gas powered dual turbocharged cars that get as good of mileage as the Prius Hybrid and have the same Carbon footprint !!. No batteries to change and find places to dispose of them or have to change.Even less weight.How about an 800 HP dual turbo 350 in a 56 chevy that passes smog.Oh Yes it does

By: Greendogo

Greendogo — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:24:58 +0000

We need to get rid of all the pretense that the government can or should guide automakers to make specific kinds of cars. We should also extinguish the speed limits. As a libertarian, when I see a government restriction on speed I habitually want to break it. But upon reflection, if there were no speed limits, I think I would factor in increased drag and fuel economy.

tl;dr – I feel like speed limits are now thought of as mostly speed targets by the average driver.

By: jhertel

jhertel — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:03:05 +0000

Thanks, Robert Anderson, for mentioning the speed limits! Many people are too nearsighted (and unknowledgeable) to think that far.

By: johnny5

johnny5 — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:03:21 +0000

I’m with Blogger37. The leading cause of lower gas mileage is because we put ethanol in our tanks. We do NOT need more government regulation. People should be allowed to demand what they want, and suppliers should be allowed to supply what the demanders want. It’s called FREE TRADE and CAPITALISM. …I miss freedom…

By: zeppflyer

zeppflyer — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 20:47:04 +0000

While increasing the gas tax and indexing it to inflation is part of the solution, we could also stand to build our cars like the rest of the world. That is; fewer weighty, power-guzzling, aerodynamics-destroying, government-mandated ‘safety features’. Overbuilt passenger compartments, giant crumple zones, airbags everywhere, and the blunted front ends mandated by pedestrian safety laws take a big bite out of the efficiency of our cars and prevent some of the more efficient models seen in the rest of the world from coming here.

Another cue that we could take would be the adoption of European traffic patterns, specifically the greater use of roundabouts rather than stoplights and yields rather than stop signs. Slowing down a bit to ascertain that an intersection is clear and then breezing through, all the while conserving momentum, is far more economy-friendly than coming to a complete stop and quickly accelerating again. It also causes less wear and tear on the car, necessitating fewer replacement brake shoes, transmission rebuilds, and new cars. Furthermore, this change would reduce demand for the powerful engines and low-geared transmissions needed to constantly bring a car up to speed from a complete rest.

By: trustme

trustme — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:47:50 +0000

The right starting point is a tax on big, fast cars…

By: Blogger37

Blogger37 — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 03:50:18 +0000

Why no mention of lowed gas mileage due to mandated use of ethanol in auto fuel?

By: Robert Anderson

Robert Anderson — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:20:03 +0000

One major reason fuel economy is low is simple: GOVERNMENTS DO NOT ENFORCE THE SPEED LIMIT, and therefore PEOPLE DRIVE AS FAST AS THEY LIKE.

C’mon, people, this is relatively simple physics. Travel energy expended (because of aerodynamic drag) increases roughly with the SQUARE of the velocity.

Try this experiment: On ANY multi-lane road, drive in the right or center lane at the speed limit. Scrupulously. You will be passed with impunity. You will also probably catch up with most of the people passing you at the next traffic control (unless you’re on an expressway.)