Technologies
to Improve Fuel Economy
1. Lightweight
Materials:- reducing vehicle wave is an
effective way to improve efficiency. However it must be done consistent with
passenger safety. Newer vehicles are making extensive use of advanced materials
for example composite body panels, high strength, light weight, aluminium structural
components etc. Even conventional materials can improve safety while reducing
wave if more sophisticated structural design are used.
2. Reduced
Resistance:- Drag and the friction between road
and wheels are the two main resistances to the vehicle motion, which if reduced
can improve the efficiency. Improve aerodynamics design of the vehicle body
along with slippery body panels can decreased drag. Improving the profile of
components such as side view mirrors, radio antenna etc. can reduced the wing
resistance further. Rolling friction can be reduced by using low resistance
tyres.
3. Variable
Valve Timing:- Valve opening and closing can be fine-tuned
with the help of computer control, which would improve the engine efficiency
enhanced improves fuel economy.
4. Regenerative
Braking:- This causes some of the vehicle kinetic
energy to be recaptured as electricity, when the brakes are applied. During
breaking the motor acts as a generator taking kinetic energy from the wheels and
converting the same to electrical energy that is used to charge the batteries.
5. Cylinder
Deactivation:- When less power is required by the
vehicle, one or more engine cylinders can be deactivated which can be
reactivated whenever more power is required, thus producing only optimum power
this method especially useful in case of heavy trucks , where eight or ten
cylinders engine may be used for hauling a trailer carrying large pay loads,
but the maximum engine power is not required when lighter loads are being
carried.
6. Integrated
Started Generator:- The use of integrated
started generator in conventional vehicles reducing the fuel consumption and improved
acceleration it is found that this may improve fuel economy of conventional
vehicles by about 20% however due to heavy electrical power requirements for
the integrated started generator the same is being developed preferably with 42
volt system.
