Road vehicle fuel economy - M. H. L Waters

The large price increases of crude oil in 1974 and 1979 stimulated a search for improved fuel economy for road transport, but in the 1980s oil prices declined and interest in fuel saving decreased. Now the emission of carbon dioxide from road transport is accepted as one contribution to possible global warming and the vulnerability of oil supplies to political events has been seen in the Middle East. Road vehicle fuel economy is again a topical subject.;This review from the Transport and Road Research Laboratory is largely based on Transport and Road Laboratory work over the past 15 years. It examines the size and locations of oil reserves and the demands likely to be made on them in the future by road transport. Principles for improving fuel economy by engine and vehicle design and by the way motorists drive in real traffic are discussed. The potential of alternative fuels is covered, and the possible role of electric road vehicles assessed. The effects of particular tax regimes are briefly touched on. The review contains 200 references to source material which will be useful to readers who want more detailed information.