By Doug Abrahms

18-06-04

A sport utility vehicle that today gets about 18 miles per gallon could get twice that by using better technology under the hood, lighter body materials and an upgraded electrical system that allows the engine to shut off while standing still. The environmental group Union of Concerned Scientists used current technology to draw up a blueprint for a more fuel-efficient SUV. For now, the idea remains on paper.

As gas prices top $ 2 a gallon in cities across the country, environmental groups want to force US automakers to build more-efficient vehicles. But the energy bills in Congress don't seek to substantially increase fuel efficiency either through mandates or incentives.

David Friedman, research director for the Union of Concerned Scientists, said that if the mileage for all US vehicles averaged 40 mpg, the United States could cut oil consumption by 2 mm bpd -- about 10 % of total demand. Lower demand would lower gas prices, he said.

US automakers, pressured more by foreign competition than by consumers, have started adding technology to increase fuel efficiency. Big improvements could add a few thousand dollars to the price of a car.

Would consumers pay more for better gas mileage?
Wesley Brown of Silver Spring, Maryland, said he would because he drives about 500 miles a week. His Isuzu Axiom SUV gets about 19 mpg.

"For my next car, I was thinking about a hybrid" gasoline-electric engine, he said.
But Mark Hollings, 17, of Palm Desert, California, said he doesn't care a lot about fuel efficiency even though gas prices average $ 2.35 where he lives.

"All I ever wanted growing up was a big, fun truck, so I'm not interested in some weaker engine that will end up slowing me down," said Hollings, who drives a Cadillac Escalade given to him by his parents.

Source: Gannett News Service