Wednesday, May 25, 2011

New posts from Gas 2.0!

New posts from Gas 2.0!

Hydrogen-Powered Skylon Spaceship Could Launch EU Into Space

Posted: 25 May 2011 02:46 PM PDT

Hydrogen fuel is a promising technology, but the economics and infrastructure just aren't there for cars yet. But what about spacecraft? The European Space Agency has just reviewed and pass a hydrogen-powered spaceship called the Skylon.

Powered by Sabre engines, what makes the Skylon unique is that it (in theory) can take off and land at a conventional airport and achieve low orbit. It does this by scavenging air from lower altitudes, rather than having to carry extra oxygen to burn in what are essentially rocket boosters. Air entering the Sabre engines will need to be cooled from 2,000 degrees to -200 degrees in about 1/100th of a second. The solution? Feed the air through tiny tubes in a pre-cooler before burning the oxygen in the engine.

Sounds complicated, right? And yet the ESA reviewed and passed this project, which means the next step is to build a working prototype of the engine. Sounds far out to me, but the concept does have some merit. If the Skylon has to carry a minimal amount of oxygen on board to achieve orbit, that makes room for more people, research equipment, and what have you. Right now the heaviest cargo on the soon-to-be-retired space shuttles is the actual fuel itself. Another bonus? Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. This technology could prove to be a huge boon in humanity's quest to conquer the stars.

With ingenuity like this, the universe doesn't stand a chance.

Source: DVICE via BBC | Reaction Engines

Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMIs. You can read about his slow descent into madness at Sublime Burnout or follow his non-nonsensical ramblings on Twitter @harshcougar.

EPA Ditches Letter Grade MPG Ratings, Puts $$ Up Front

Posted: 25 May 2011 10:47 AM PDT

I think we can all agree that nobody wants to be reminded of high school when trying to determine the fuel efficiency of a new car. Thankfully the EPA has yanked the letter grades and replaced it with dollar signs.

The new mpg system will be applied to all 2013 model year cars. Before I go further, I will say that the EPA has quite the task ahead of them, trying to figure out a ratings system that fits a variety of new cars and technologies, from pure electrics extended-range plug-in hybrids to mild hybrids. Not an easy task to be sure, and such information can only be presented a certain way as to remain objective. The letter grading system was not objective, no matter which way you cut it. It was just an awful idea from beginning to end, and if you really want to sell green, you've got to put the cost savings up front and center.

The new rating system provides several critical information points up front and center, including how far a full charge is estimated to take you, how long the battery takes to charge and, most importantly, how much money this car will save you compared to the "average" car. I took a look at the fine print, which says that the formula will be based on fuel price projections put out by the U.S. Energy Information Administration every year and a 15,000 miles of driving annually. It also will include an app and smartphone scanner so you can compare one car to another.

What I don't agree with the inclusion of are the smog tailpipe ratings. As is often argued, the "true" cleanliness of an electric vehicle depends largely on where the electricity comes from. I also feel like it is the least important bit of information on the sticker. Yes, it is great going green and saving the planet Earth…but realistically, most people want to just save money. Which is why I like the new EPA ratings sticker (for the most part.) I wonder though, does it go the other way too? As in, if I buy a car with below-average fuel economy, will the sticker tell me how much more money this car will cost me?

So anyway, I am a fan, but what do you guys think?

Source: Fueleconomy.gov

Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMIs. You can read about his slow descent into madness at Sublime Burnout or follow his non-nonsensical ramblings on Twitter @harshcougar.

Cummins Developing 4-Cylinder Diesel for Nissan Titan

Posted: 25 May 2011 07:23 AM PDT

I often lament on this blog the lack of a small diesel truck in America, and while I may not get my diesel Ford Ranger, Nissan and Cummins are cooking up a four-cylinder diesel that could be a game changer.

Cummins engines are most often found under the hood of heavy construction equipment and Dodge (now Ram) heavy duty pickups. But Nissan has apparently been paying attention to the truck market, which in America is mostly made up of gas-guzzling full-size vehicles. If you opt to get a diesel engine, you're going to end up paying at least $40,000 for that truck, which often comes with a lot of heavy duty stuff that just kills fuel efficiency.

So Nissan teamed up with Cummins to produce a 2.8 liter four-cylinder diesel engine, which they have fitted to a Titan full-size truck mule. The project is a joint effort by the U.S. Government, Nissan, and Cummins to produce an oil-burner that gets up to 40% better gas mileage than many current V8 trucks. Cummins is aiming for a 28 mpg combined EPA rating, which would put its highway rating well over 30 mpg. A 30 mpg, full-size truck? Madness!

Don't think this four-banger won't pack a punch though. With an estimated 350 ft-lbs of torque on tap, it is a match for any of the gas-burning V8 engines on the market now. The test program is expected to go well into 2014…about the same time a next-generation Nissan Titan is scheduled to hit the market. By then, who knows how high gas prices may be. A small diesel pickup is just what the doctor ordered, methinks, and hopefully this will encourage Detroit to reconsider small diesel engines for their full-size pickups.

Source: Pickuptrucks.com via Cummins

Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMIs. You can read about his slow descent into madness at Sublime Burnout or follow his non-nonsensical ramblings on Twitter @harshcougar.
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