US Pumps $175M Into Advanced Auto Fuel Research

coondoggie writes "In the wake of new fuel efficiency standards, the Energy Department this week spotted 40 new research projects $175 million to develop everything from light-weight building materials to electronics and advanced fuel. Last month, the U.S. set new fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks, saying they must hit 54.5 miles per gallon by Model Year 2025. The projects awarded contracts should address some of the issues involved in making cars and trucks more fuel efficient. At least that's the idea."

Still using gasoline?

[Mark4ST]

I'm a little disappointed that they thing we'd even be using gasoline in that far-flung future. Aren't there a bunch of competing technologies just around the corner, if not ON that corner?

Alternate Fuels = Wrong Problem

[sandysnowbeard]

The problem with alternative car fuels is that they're a solution to the wrong problem: the real issue is that it's not sustainable for every person on the planet to transport himself and two tons of metal an average distance of sixteen miles one-way as part of a daily commute.

Re:Alternate Fuels = Wrong Problem

[cryfreedomlove]

The problem with alternative car fuels is that they're a solution to the wrong problem: the real issue is that it's not sustainable for every person on the planet to transport himself and two tons of metal an average distance of sixteen miles one-way as part of a daily commute.

sorry, I disagree. In your world utopia, only the rich would have access to personal transportation. That's not the world I want to live in. Personal transportation waiting for you on your driveway is personal freedom. Focusing on efficiency and compact storage of carbon free electrical power will make that all sustainable and a lot of people happy.

Re:Alternate Fuels = Wrong Problem

[cryfreedomlove]

Why not?

Re:How about 1000 miles per gram?

[rubycodez]

hah, sorry but that is a hoax, a scam to get investor money. you can't induce fission, nor can you induce faster thorium decay, by heating with a laser. What you can do is make a thorium breeder reactor, which will NOT fit in a car.