The enemy in the War for Endependence (energy independence that ends dependence on polluting fuels) is aggressively prosecuting the war.

The War for Endependence is a war against “cheap energy“.  Fossil fuels have been cheap energy for the last 150 years or so, and now with the short term dip in oil prices, they are even cheaper.

In July 2008, oil was $147.00 per barrel, and now in November it is about $50.00 per barrel.  Gasoline that was over $4.00 per gallon is less than $2.00 per gallon.  What seemed like a no brainer in July, driving fuel efficient vehicles, is again a quandary less than five months later.

The truth is that cheap energy is only cheap if we don’t count what the economists call “externalities”, things like greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.

Here is a video about the greenhouse gas externalities by Sir David Attenborough.

http://endependence.info/research/videos-c-13-v-81.html

With a world wide economic downturn and a drop in fossil fuel prices, how easy it is for people, businesses and governments to get lulled into complacency.

George Washington and the Continental Army did not surrender or return to their farms when they lost early battles in the War for Independence. (more…)

Yesterday we looked at the technologies that are most likely to be adopted in the near term to improve fuel efficiency.

Here is how much various technologies can improve fuel economy.

Diesel Engine  25% - 30%

Gasoline Direct Injection plus Turbocharging up to 12%

Dual-clutch transmission up to 10%

Cylinder deactivation 7%

Continuously variable valve timing 5%

Stop-start system 5%

5 speed automatic transmissions 3% - 4%

- Automotive News, November 3, 2008

Now, let’s look at the cost of these technologies as projected by the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA).

Here is how much these technologies will add to the price of a car.

Diesel Engine $1,000 - $3,000

Gasoline Direct Injection plus Turbocharging  $122 - $810

Dual-clutch transmission (continuously variable transmission) $100 - $139

Cylinder deactivation $203 - $229

Continuously variable valve timing Cost not available

Stop-start system $1800 - $2,000

5 speed automatic transmissions $76 - $167

Based on the cost versus the fuel mileage gain, it appears that Gasoline Direct Injection plus Turbocharging has the best profile.

Ford Motor Company is introducing a system called EcoBoost that combines gasoline direct injection and turbocharging.  Here is a video (kind of dry) about the system:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVncFb7GMOs

Here are some videos about what to look for when you are shopping for a new car:

http://endependence.info/research/videos-c-1-v-20.html

http://endependence.info/research/videos-c-1-v-8.html

The technology is out there.  If the government (meaning the taxpayers) is going to help the Big 3 (Detroit 3) automakers, we should insist that they bring these and other energy saving technologies to market in the short term.