http://enn.com/news/wire-stories/2002/01/01172002/reu_46167.asp - 1/17/2002 - ENN.com U.S. science panel says Detroit can improve fuel use
Thursday, January 17, 2002 By Julie Vorman, Reuters WASHINGTON - A National Academy of Sciences panel on Wednesday rebutted criticisms from automakers and reaffirmed a finding made in July that new technologies could be tapped to improve the fuel consumption of gas-guzzling sport utility vehicles and minivans over a 15-year period. Stricter mileage standards have been endorsed by many Democrats and environmental groups as a key plank in a national energy policy that could save millions of barrels of petroleum. Detroit automakers contend that improving the fuel consumption of sport utility vehicles means building lighter vehicles that are less safe for passengers. The Bush administration has had little to say about the government imposing stricter fuel standards but has endorsed an energy policy that promotes drilling for oil in places like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The independent science panel, which advises the U.S. government on complex issues, issued a new report Wednesday after automakers complained that its July report overestimated the industry's ability to improve fuel efficiency. The July draft report concluded U.S. automakers could increase the fuel efficiency of sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, minivans, and cars by 16 percent to 47 percent over the next 10 to 15 years. It stopped short of calling for specific government-mandated increases but said Detroit should use technology to raise fuel efficiency and cut emissions of greenhouse gases. FINDINGS UNCHANGED On Wednesday the National Academy of Sciences panel said its findings and recommendations presented in the July report were "essentially unchanged." "The committee reaffirms its approach and general results: Significant gains in fuel economy are possible with the application of new technology at corresponding increases in vehicle price,'' it said. However, the scientists said they did find some "minor computational or data entry errors" in the earlier report and that the data would be changed before a final report is published later this year. The science panel's report examined a wide range of mechanical changes and new technology. For example, SUV fuel consumption could be improved by up to 4 percent if vehicle weight was cut 5 percent, a change that could add as much as $350 to the retail cost, the panel said. An SUV could also cut fuel use by up to 7 percent with an integrated starter/generator costing about $350, and by up to 10 percent with an engine equipped with camless valve actuation that would boost the price by about $560, the report said. AUTOMAKERS SAY TRADE-OFFS INVOLVED The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said it was concerned that some of the estimated fuel gains do not reflect the uncertainty and complex business of making vehicles or the trade-offs involved in manufacturing. "What makes a sports car more efficient may not work on a minivan," said Gloria Berquist, spokeswoman for the group. ''Even if the technology could have benefits, that doesn't mean a consumer will buy it and that it will get on the road.'' U.S. automakers say some 50 vehicles that get more than 35 miles per gallon are already on the market but they account for less than 1 percent of all sales. The science panel addressed the so-called Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards adopted by Congress in 1975 after the Arab oil embargo. They require passenger cars to get an average 27.5 miles per gallon and light trucks 20.7 mpg. When the CAFE standards were written, light trucks were allowed to get lower mileage because they were used mostly by farmers and small businesses. Today, sport utility vehicles and other light trucks account for half of U.S. vehicle sales. Any government-mandated boost for sport utility vehicles and minivans won't occur before the 2005 model year. Last month, the head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration told Congress that there was little time left for the government to order fuel changes to model year 2004 vehicles that are scheduled to become available in late 2003. The 13-member National Academy of Sciences panel was led by Paul Portney of Resources for the Future. Other members included John Wise, a former Mobil Oil employee; Philip Sharp of Harvard University; David Green of Oak Ridge National Laboratory; and Adrian Lund of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Copyright 2002, Reuters ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Access Your PC from Anywhere Check Email & Transfer files - Free Download http://us.click.yahoo.com/_WCYWA/3XkDAA/ySSFAA/9bTolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Biofuels at Journey to Forever http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuel at WebConX http://www.webconx.com/2000/biofuel/biofuel.htm To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
