Shouldn't we have a car by now that gives 100 miles to the gallon or even one that is gasoline free ?

Question

I know in 1980, for example, an american consumer was able to buy a car that was capable of 45 miles per gallon on the express way. Here we are nearly 30 years later, and think about all the new technology that has come about.....and it looks like we have made no progress in the gas mileage arena. Think about it........its really fascinationg how that can be. If we could get 45 miles per gallon in 1980, we should definitely be at 100 by now or perhaps gasoline free.

What are the political reasons for this lack of advancement?

Answer 1

I think so. The reason is simple. There are powers that be that fought to keep americans buying gas guzzlers cause they are more profitable. In the 1990's there were actually electric cars on american roads in some parts of the country. But suddenly they vanished for some reason. Who got rid of the electric cars, and why?
The fact that our elected national leaders are the henchmen of big oil, big auto, and big business does not help the situation.

Answer 2

Where is the question? I am inclined to consider your rant a "myth." You have presented yourself as an expert but even on that basis your statements fail. --Would an electronic engineer confuse a perpetual motion machine with a vehicle powered by an electric motor? --Could an electrical engineer legitimately rely upon electrical training to comment upon issues of pollution in the environment? --Does an engineering degree also convey an expertise in economics or politics? --Assuming the best it dose not speak well of an engineer's schooling that that you would confuse environmental, economic or political issues with the existence of a vehicle that was invented over180 years ago. --Electric vehicles are a material fact that have been around for a long long time. Economics, pollution, and politics are are not "facts" but issues and considerations that are subject to many variables. Any engineer worth their salt would see the EV as an electromechanical tool; a vehicle, which will be valuable for some situations and not as good a fit for others. --All tools convert energy from one form to another. There are always energy losses and useful work performed. When we compare the energy used to the useful work gained we get a sense of the efficiency of the tool or operation. When we compare the efficiency of the petrol vehicle to the energy of the gasoline used we find that the vehicle is about 15% efficient. When we do the same with an electrical input the EV can be over 90% efficient. This is a simple engineering analysis. The lunch may not be "free" either way but we can "feed" many more with the EV. --Efficiency and pollution are related as the amount of by products is dependent upon the type of operation and the efficiency. A petrol vehicle produces pollution in its operation and it is very inefficient. An electrical vehicle is highly efficient and its operation is emission free. The electric vehicle is therefore a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV,) the legal definition of which is a vehicle that produces no emissions in its operation. If you have issues with power plants then focus on the source of the problem and not the EV which comprises less than 1/2 of 1% of our vehicles.... that is unless your comments are politically motivated.

Answer 3

It has less to do with political reasons and more to do with money. you may not know this but oil was down to about $10 a barrel in 1999 (gas was 78 cents), so auto makers had no reason to make 100mpg cars because no one would have wanted one.

to all you people who think big oil is controlling everything in this country and that they killed the electric car; the real reason people quit buying and driving them is that they suck too small to transport any thing, too slow, range too small even today >100 mile per charge. the truth is that battery technology has not improved to the level to make electric cars serious

Answer 4

I had a 1991 Olds 98 (Big Car) that got over 35 MPG on the highway. No reason a Honda etc. shouldn't be able to get 60MPG. I am certainly not a person who believes in conspiracies but there is definitely something wrong with this.

Answer 5

I think they already have those cars (hybrids and electric cars). However, they may not go into production yet because of demand or cost. They may not go into production because oil companies would hate those types of cars. So, these cars may not be popular until the price of gasoline goes into $10 per gallon range.

Check out this Popular Science article on the race to 100mpg (under $20k)
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/automotivetech/e5690576b64fc010vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd.html

Answer 6

Yes, they could make cars getting 100 mpg, but the cost would be so high, no one would buy them. What the public says it wants and actually buys are 2 completely different things.

Answer 7

I have a 94 Honda Civic that gets the same mileage as a Prius. The market is driven by the American cunsumer and until we get off the SUV train of mind then we have what we have.

Answer 8

Cheap gas. For 20 years, we had a stable and plentiful cheap gas supply, and there was no big reason to continue fuel efficiency efforts.

Answer 9

automakers and oil lobbyists, i guess, i don't know for sure.

there's a film about it called "Who Killed the Electric Car"
http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony/whokilledtheelectriccar/

Back in the Golden Days, most towns and cities had a light rail or trolley. General Motors bought them all up and ran them into the ground replacing them with buses.

Answer 10

Yes we should but there has been no demand for one and I believe the auto manufacturers are in collusion with the oil industry.