GM FastLane: More on Fuel Efficieny/Economy, Part 2

[Bruce Nunnally]

Editor's note: Part 2 in a series of responses by Dave Lancaster. -Alicia Dorset, blog editor

Count me among the unimpressed. E-85 capability is hardly noteworthy; components that ethanol won't attack and new computer settings. E-85 itself is problematic. All E-85 production has accomplished so far is to drive up food prices. I live in the state with the most E-85 pumps and there still isn't one convenient to me. I've checked with friends who have E-85 capable vehicles and not one has actually used the stuff. The US was rocked by OPEC back in 1973. It became painfully obvious that our oil dependence was a strategic problem for us (and it turns out oil consumption is a big part of a global environmental problem, too) and in the 34 years since, domestic auto manufacturers have not risen to the challenge of significantly driving down fuel consumption. You've spent the better part of the last 20 years in a horsepower and cylinder count race. And you've spent oodles of money advertising trucks (many of which are parked outside my office building having done their heavy lifting for the day by bringing the driver to work through stop-and-go traffic). I vote for the production of high mileage cars by buying them. Unfortunately, after 34 years, I still have to go to Japanese manufacturers to get such cars. While you were sleeping, Toyota and Honda busted their butts and delivered cars that get phenomenal city fuel economy and impressive highway economy, too. One of those is a market winner, too, to the tune of 20K sales/month. And props to Ford for the hybrid Escape, too.

Posted by: Charlie H

Dave: Charlie, E85 is clearly not the only solution, but using a fuel based on biomass rather than fossil fuel is clearly a step in the right direction from a CO2 standpoint and it reduces our dependency on foreign oil. GM sees E85 ethanol FlexFuel vehicles as one of the most effective near term ways (the next decade or so until reliable battery technology is developed and electric vehicles are in mass production) to decrease global petroleum demand.

Obviously infrastructure is a considerable hurdle to overcome. To help expand the availability of E85 ethanol in the U.S., GM has helped open 300 new E85 ethanol fueling pumps at stations in 15 states and the District of Columbia in the last two years. GM will continue to work on establishing more partnerships to do the same. A key is to expand the number of stations offering E85 by greater numbers so that the fuel is available more readily to more customers who drive flex-fuel vehicles.

As to the trucks outside your office, there are many people who drive trucks because they need the ability to haul a load on an occasional basis. We build some great trucks for them, and our new two-mode hybrid will allow them to get city fuel economy that rivals much smaller cars. Witness the Hybrid Tahoe besting the four-cylinder Camry.

As to your personal quest for a high mileage car, check out the new Saturn Astra. It’s a hit in Europe where fuel economy has been king for a long time.

http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2008/...on_fuel_ef.html