I have an old acquaintance that I worked with for a summer as an intern. I frequently read his blog, as do I with other people that I have ties to. Recently he published a small soapbox item regarding fuel efficient V-8’s. Below is my reply which I will be submitting on his blog. No hard feelings Danny…
I could not agree more with you that trucks and other V8 vehicles consume more fuel than other vehicles with smaller engines, as well as the proper intent for trucks (to haul cargo on/off road). However I have some disagreement with you attributing V8’s to the prime cause of higher fuel consumption and prices, use of intention for vehicles, and the right to choose what you want to drive.
It is true that any vehicle with a V8 engine is going to consume more fuel than a vehicle with fewer cylinders under the hood, but what it really comes down to is the driver and their habits. For instance, a V8 vehicle traveling at 55mph running at 1500rpm is not going to consume much more fuel than an Inline4 traveling at 65mph running at 2400rpm. The obvious reason for this is that V8’s have more power and torque than Inline4 or V6’s. The technical reason for it is Inline4 and V6’s have slightly larger cylinders allowing for more fuel and air to enter each. Because the smaller motor does not have the amount of power a V8 does, it run’s at a slightly higher rpm. So back to the driver’s responsibility, if the driver of the V8 truck is driving 55, and he gets passed by a car with a four cylinder like he is standing still, who is burning more fuel at that point?
While were on the subject of fuel consumption, the industry standard where all vehicles are optimized for fuel efficiency is 55 mph. People who drive in large metropolitan areas who are constantly stopping and starting at stop lights, and taking off like a race car drive up fuel consumption regardless of the vehicle. If were that worried about it then why don’t more people use mass transit?
The general intent of any vehicle is to get the occupant(s) from point A to point B safely. When you have these super charged small car’s that have been modified with performance parts to make it go faster, this takes away from the car’s original intent along with encouraging higher speeds and faster start up times, thus using more fuel. Should these people be fined by the government for modifying their cars from the original intent?
Lastly there is just the simple right to choose. If someone wants to drive a Honda Civic, then let them buy a Civic. If someone wants to drive a Hummer H3, then it’s their right as an American to purchase a Hummer H3. Saying that the government should fine all truck owners would not be constitutional. Saying that the government needs to fine all drivers who drive V8’s is practical and is happening. Whenever you buy a brand new vehicle with a V8, you are assessed with a Gas Guzzler Tax which usually comes to about 3-5% of the vehicles MSRP price. The buyer is choosing to pay that tax, they are choosing to pay more for that vehicle. If someone is speeding in any vehicle they are choosing to fill up their tank more often.
If someone puts some magnet, bumper sticker, gigantic idol, mural, or whatever, it is their right to put that on their vehicle. Granted I agree that this was not the original intent of the car and that it looks tacky, but it is still their right as an American to choose to do so.
Yes larger engine vehicles are a problem but the bigger problem is how people are driving them. I know that the author of the blog will be the first to say that I drove somewhat irresponsibly but things change.