There's an article over on wired.com (here) about as to whether a 100 mpg car is possibleâor for that matter, even practical. GM's Bob Kruse, who is their executive director of global engineering of hybrids, electric vehicles and batteries; had a few interesting things to say on this subject:
"We will be using internal combustion engines for awhile. The 100-mpg car can be thought of as the Volt, (and) it will achieve this operating on a combination of electric and ICE propulsion."
"We are not competing in the X Prize. I have all of my resources focusing on mainstream high-volume programs like the Chevrolet Volt."
"Like much new technology, a Catch 22 develops...
Will we invest in hydrogen delivery for vehicles that do not exist, or will we create vehicles that you cannot buy hydrogen for? This is where government leadership can help."
Here's a related story on the Chevy Volt, and its production status from Green Car Advisor: Volt On Track for Late 2010 and 40 Miles on Batteries
Here's a related story on the Chevy Volt, and its production status from Green Car Advisor: Volt On Track for Late 2010 and 40 Miles on Batteries
ateixeira says:
07:09 AM, 04/ 8/08
I say No. We have reached the point of diminishing returns with battery technology, while added safety requirements will keep pushing weight and cost upward. So any gains in green technology will be offset.
I don't see a point where a 100mpg car will meet all the growing safety standards while being affordable to the average family.
estreka says:
09:52 AM, 04/ 8/08
Agreed. Vehicles are getting so expensive (to buy and to own) because of safety equipment. The same can be said of battery technology. At least manufacturers are addressing the core problem: weight.
If we weren't in a recession, I'd imagine companies would just throw more batteries on.
firstwagon says:
10:23 AM, 04/ 8/08
I think there will be 100 mpg cars but only if you ignore the cost of the electricity. Plug in hybrids have the potential to get 100 miles on a gallon of gas but they do it by offsetting their energy needs with electricity.
You'll save on gas but the electric bill will go way up. Which is better depends on the rates in your area I guess.
stovt001 says:
12:37 PM, 04/ 8/08
Changing the car support infrastructure such as fueling stations is nearly impossible, especially with so many competing alternatives. We should instead focus on ways to travel less or in greater numbers at once (as in public transportation).
readerreader says:
02:58 PM, 04/ 8/08
People need to stop believing that government and legislation is the solution to all problems.
Until then, government will continue to mandate the existence of heaven and a guarantee that everyone will get there.
flicmod says:
06:29 AM, 04/ 9/08
THANK YOU readerreader! My sentiments EXACTLY!
llandudnoboy says:
04:10 AM, 09/ 2/11
I am driving a current production car that will do a genuine 100mpg and its the current Mercedes Smart ForTwo Cdi diesel.
I live in the United Kingdom and my Smart diesel has returned a genuine 90mpg with little difficulty over a long journey up the M6 motorway from my home in North Wales to Keswick in the Lake District.
For a journey totalling 183.2 miles i used exactly 9.1Litres of fuel and with the Uk gallon being 4.5Litres to the gallon my car had returned a genuine 90mpg.
Now i managed that 90 without even trying particularly hard and i know if i had reduced my speed even further i would have fast approached that magic 100mpg.
Quite a few drivers have managed well over 100mpg from the Smart Cdi even Mic Linford who has won the Esso Fuel efficiency marathon for the past two years in a Smart Cdi has managed 95mpg over a far more difficult driving course than mine and he is more than confident that given the right weather conditions he can get 100mpg or even better.
One person who lives in Canada and runs the 100mpg website forum for the Smart Cdi has even managed an amazing 116mpg from his 2006 Smart Cdi so the 100mpg is no myth it can be achieved if you have the right car and know how to drive it for efficiency.
Now if i had returned 82mpg i know that getting 100mpg from my car would have been almost impossible but i drove at a constant 85kph during my journey and managed to use two gallons of fuel.
If i had reduced my speed even further then 100mpg would have been on the cards but driving at around 45mph on a busy motorway is not really advisable.