Importance of Fuel Economy - Report Example

Running Head: Importance of Fuel Economy A Paper on the Importance of Fuel Economy In APA Style Introduction Fuel of any type is one of the most significant factors in the national and international markets and the different process within which it is concerned and connected is of great economic importance. In the continuous depletion of the natural resources and degradation of nature, the scarcity of recourses continuously intensifies. For that matter, the fuel economy is one of the concepts that are receiving attention in the present era. Fuel economy can be defined as the necessary quantity of fuel that can make a machinery for example automobile engine achieve a certain distance. It can then be considered as the needed amount of fuel to run a machine for a particular output. For that matter there are different factors that are involved in the said field of study. These factors are the price of the fuel, the efficiency of the fuel, efficiency of the machinery and other related aspects that can affect and be affected in the changes of supply of fuel (National Research Council US, 1992). One of the most influential types of fuel in the present era is the petroleum for automobiles. Basically, the said type is only one of the many types of fuel, but the demand for petroleum can be considered as the most significant in the market in the current society. The main aim of the study undertaken is to be able to present different studies and researches undertaken by different groups regarding the importance of fuel economy. This is undertaken through a holistic presentation of the different advantages and benefits that can be achieved in the study of the behavior of the economy related to fuel economy and the effects of such processes in the society both at the national and international arena. Importance of Fuel Economy There are different aspects that are covered by the fuel economy that are significant in the determination of its importance. In comprehensive view, the study and application of fuel economy is in relation to the goal of increasing the sustainability of the remaining fuel sources to be able to supply the needs of the human technology in general. For that matter, the importance of fuel economy can be summarized in the aspects such as in relation to economic issues, environmental issues, national and international security issues and energy issues. Economic Benefits One of the aspects that can be benefited by the improvement in fuel economy is the economic aspect by saving financially. There are different ways and methods wherein the said benefits can be achieved. One way is by the choice of automobile that can achieve the highest cost efficiency. Due to the present trend towards sustainability, there are increasing numbers of sustainable cars that are available in the market. The use of such automobiles can save approximately $200 to $1,500 fuel related expenses. In addition, efficient practices can improve the use of fuel namely driving habits and the maintenance of the car (US Department of Energy, 2008). With regards to the consumer level, the fuel economy is one of the bases for the choice of automobiles. This can then be considered as an important factor for manufacturers to achieve the desired sales. One example is the continuously improving demand for hybrid cars on the basis of more fuel efficiency and less fuel related expenses aside from the fact that it can be considered for positive environmental effects (Ensing and Cagle, 2004). On the national level, based on a study undertaken in relation to energy use policies, economic benefits can be achieved. Included in the policies is the efficiency in fuel use. Through the establishment of an index that includes policies such as passenger vehicle efficiency, public benefits fund, industrial voluntary program, appliance standards, R & D related deployment etc. the national net savings is presented in Figure 1. In addition, the projected effects of policies related to improved use of fuel are presented in Figure 2 (Nadel and Geller 2001). Source: (Nadel and Geller 2001). Figure1. Costs, Savings and Net Savings for the Policies by 2020, on billion 1999. Source: (Nadel and Geller 2001). Figure 2. Energy Expenditures Projected It can be observed that based on the improvement of the use of fuel the expenditures of the country is significantly reduced. This can be related to the subsequent benefit which is the improvement of national security. This can be attributed to the fact that one of the bases of national security is the economic aspect of the nation. Improvement of National Security Another area wherein benefits of fuel economy can be perceived is in relation to national security. Through the study and determination of the need and sources of fuel and the applications that can lessens consumption the national energy security of a particular country can be improved. This can ultimately improve the state of sustainability with regards to energy sources. Based on the study of the demands of US in oil, it had been determined that more than half of the supply is being imported (Figure 3). For that matter it can be perceived that the country is dependent on foreign oil. Through the application of established policies on the basis of fuel economy, the said scenario can be improved (US Department of Energy, 2008). Source: (US Department of Energy, 2008). Figure 3. US Petroleum use, 1970-2007 (million barrels/day) The present economic issues and problems can be considered to be largely based on the increasing demand for fuel to supply the international community in addition to the fact that the scare sources are being controlled by countries and groups situated near the oil sources, for example in the Middle East. By improving the methods that can significantly improve the efficiency in the use of fuel as well as the ways to provide alternative energy sources, demands can be lessened and dependence to the oil producing countries can be reduced. In 2000, the amount spent for energy resources is approximately $600 billion, $120 billion of which came from foreign fuel sources (Herzog, Lipman, Edwards and Kammen, 2001). Based on the projected improvement in the fuel use in terms of policies, the presented data with regards to consumption can be reduced can be reduced (Nadel and Geller 2001). Such policies are included in the methods for fuel economy. Environmental Benefits One of the most important objectives that can be provided by fuel economy that can be considered significant in the present state of nature is the achievement environmental sustainability. It can be considered that the other benefits that can be related to fuel economy can ultimately lead to the advantageous effects in the environment (US Department of Energy, 2008). Specifically included in the effects related to the reduction of fuel consumption are the reduction in hydrocarbon and the carbon dioxide emissions. Fuel economy related to fuels such as RFG cannot be directly related to pollution although it is one of the major factors. Other factors are the state and efficiency of combustion of the engine used. This is the reason why automobiles can still be used if the standards for emission are followed and the requirements for the maintenance of the automobiles are applied. In the study of the consumption of RFG, the effects of fuel economy can be compared to the maximum projected fuel reduction (US Environmental Protection Agency, 2008b). If the principles of fuel economy can be followed, significant changes in relation to pollution can then be achieved. Table 1. The Fuel Economy Analysis of RFG. Effect Conditions Average Fuel Economy Reduction Maximum Fuel Reduction Temperature*  20F vs 77F  5.3%  13%  Head Wind  20 mph  2.3%  6%  Hills/Mountains  7% road grade  1.9%  25%  Poor road conditions* Gravel, curves, slush, snow, etc. 4.3%  50%  Traffic Congestion 20 vs 27 mph average speed 10.6%  15%  Highway speed  70 vs 55 mph  N/A  25%  Acceleration Rate "Hard" vs "Easy"  11.8%  20%  Wheel Alignment 1/2 inch  Read More