In a message dated 2003-10-28 23:07:29 Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
On Monday 27 October 2003 14:37, Kim, Richard wrote:
> It also has other statistics, like for gas "mileage." Does anyone know why
> gas consumption in metric is liters per 100 kilometers? Why isn't
> kilometers per liter the standard, like MPG?
I think the European system makes it ever-so-slightly easier to calculate the
cost of fuel for typical usage. For example,
"I'm going on a 200 km trip, and my car uses 8 liters per 100 km. I will use
2*8 = 16 liters. At 1.10 Euro/L, it will cost me 17.60 Euros."
Also, this is in some ways more natural since you are directly measuring
consumption. It's very intuitive to me how one measures consumption. In
America, we measure economy. I think measuring "economy" is less intuitive.
Nonetheless, I think Americans should probably continue to measure fuel
economy, and quote specification in km/L. For one thing, it is more SI-like.
Also, the American people are very use to bigger numbers being better.
Inverting this would create confusion and bad press for metrication.
What do others here think? Is there already a precedent (legal or otherwise)
in place?
If you buy gas piecemeal, L/100 km is better, as you know how much to buy for a trip before you start sucking fumes.
If you fill your tank every time, like most of us do, km/L is better, as you know how far that tank will take you. ("OK, 65 L, 12 km/L, that's 65 x 12 or 780 km.")
I prefer the latter.
Carleton
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