Reducing GHGs from the existing vehicle fleet

As Joel Woodhull described in our Transportation White Paper, the two root paths to remove carbon from the transportation system are

*Reduce the use of fossil carbon-based fuels (ultimately don't use them at all)
*Get more passenger miles per mile of motorized vehicle movement

In order to reduce the use of fossil carbon fuels, new cars can be built to more easily use biofuels, the so-called "flex fuel" cars. To the extent that diesel engines and particularly diesel hybrids become more common, biodiesel can be used. The remedy of increasing the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard to require auto makers to build more efficient cars is available, but is fraught with political difficulty. Raising the fuel price through a gasoline tax is another effective way to reduce fuel use, but also fraught with political difficulty.

There is still the problem of what to do with the existing fleet of cars and light trucks, which account about 85% of the GHG emissions from the transportation sector. An automotive efficiency specialist, Ernie Rogers has contributed a set of guaranteed, proven methods for improving the mileage of an existing, standard gasoline powered car or truck.

Here is Ernie's list of mileage-increasing improvements for corporate or government fleets:

1. Move to low rolling resistance tires. This can save up to 10%

2. Drive slower on the highway. My tests show a 10% improvement in mileage by slowing down just 5 miles per hour.

3. Use low-friction synthetic motor oils, such as Mobil 1 0W20 for some gas cars (check for approval) and new high-pressure 0W30 oils for diesels. These oils will raise mileage by up to 10%, and also lower emissions.

4. Get high-mileage fuel. Fuels are NOT all equal. One fuel can get as much as 5% better mileage than another. Octane (gas) and cetane (diesel) numbers affect mileage. An engine can also be tuned to match the fuel.

These methods, if taken together, can increase fuel efficiency up to 35%.

5. For trucks and busses, switch to B20 biodiesel blend (20% biodiesel). For most sensitive environments (school busses?) use B100. Commit the supplier to provide the fuel at gas stations also. If you can't buy the fuel at the same price as diesel, then the city can make their own!

B20 reduces tailpipe GHG emissions by 20%. B100 reduces tailpipe GHG emissions by 100%. These numbers are lower if fossil fuels are used in the production of the biodiesel.

6. Many gasoline cars, etc. are now flex-fuel capable. Put those on E85 (85% ethanol).

E85 reduces tailpipe GHG emissions by 85%, but again, if the ethanol is produced using fossil fuel energy sources, this number is lower.

7. Fuel savings-- the greatest gains will come by changing behavior. I think the way to do this is by making a game out of it. Corporations and governments can set up these behavior-changing organizational games:

(a) Departments can form problem-solving teams, but make sure there are meaningful rewards for success. (E.g., money, glory, parties, vacations)
(b) Install trip computers in cars, and have contests for best mpgs AND least gallons used. One aftermarket trip computer (the one I have) is ScanGauge (TM).
(c) An individual suggestion system, with meaningful rewards. A popular reward that works great is, give the submitter a percentage of the savings.

8. Take drag-creating junk off the outside of vehicles (where practical) if they are used over 40 mph. For example, light bars on top of police cars.

9. Additives can make a significant difference. Biodiesel added up to 10% can increase mileage up to 5%, and extends the life of engine parts, even in 1% blend. Gasoline additives can also improve efficiency and extend life, while also lowering emissions. I am currently researching additives.