Lightening the load to better fuel economy

The evolution of carbon fiber

One of the greatest ways to increase fuel economy is to reduce weight. Thus, exotic materials, such as carbon fiber, have excited automakers with the possibility of much lighter, yet stronger, cars. Unfortunately, costs have kept these materials from mainstreaming.

Recently, however, BMW announced that its Megacity electric car would use carbon fiber. As the Megacity is planned as a volume vehicle, it's use of carbon fiber implies the possibility of some cost-effective angle.

Likewise, Daimler also announced it will increase the use of carbon fiber in its Mercedes SL class. Of course, the SL class is an expensive class of vehicle, so perhaps carbon fiber isn't quite there yet.

Regardless, a new study by Lotus demonstrates that most vehicles could be made 38 percent lighter by 2020 at a cost of just 3 percent, while improving fuel economy by 23 percent. Furthermore, the Lotus study also achieved an additional 13 percent reduction in powertrain weight using hybrid technology.

Cost-effective, safe fuel economy. For what are we waiting?