View Single Post
Old 04-10-2011, 07:45 PM  
mynameisjim
Confirmed User
 
mynameisjim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,985
Quote:
Originally Posted by dyna mo View Post
fuel efficiency has gone up since the 80s, ~35% since 1985
http://www.bts.gov/publications/nati...ble_04_23.html
That's not what I mean. I mean when you look at fuel consumed for the miles driven, the efficiency is lower.

The efficiency gains were used so people could drive SUV's all through the 90's with 300-400 horsepower.

I'm too lazy to search for it, but if you are curious google a few different phrases and you'll come across the story, it was somewhat big news when it came out a few years ago so most news sites will have it archived.

edit: here is the first reference I found. You can search for better sources though

http://www.dailyfueleconomytip.com/m...1980-and-2004/

But that was my point, fuel efficiency technology has increased, but it just made car makers build bigger engines and made consumers buy bigger vehicles, so we really didn't gain that much at all. That was my point in the first post. Changes in efficiency will change behavior and it usually cancels out any gains.
__________________
jim (at) amateursconvert . com Amateurs Convert

Last edited by mynameisjim; 04-10-2011 at 07:52 PM..
mynameisjim is offline   Share thread on Digg Share thread on Twitter Share thread on Reddit Share thread on Facebook Reply With Quote