One doesn't need a Copenhagen Summit to make U.S. cars more efficient

The use OF plastics, aluminum, composites, and other lighter-weight materials -- often replacing steel -- can reduce vehicle weight by more than 20%. True, there are areas -- for safety and strength -- where steel must continue to be used, but there are many areas in which manufacturers can 'get the weight out.' For most cars, the largest amount of fuel is used when accelerating from a stop, and a reduction in weight would yield large benefits. At speeds above 30 mph and at highway speeds (+55 mph), a vehicle's aerodynamics become a major factor in fuel consumption, along with weight.

U.S. auto fuel efficiency: A lost decade

Unfortunately, weight is an area U.S. automakers dropped the ball on, for basically an entire decade -- an astounding and costly oversight, in retrospect. For reasons that mystify many Americans, Detroit did not do enough to reduce vehicle weight, and it was one reason for Detroit's often below-competitor mile-per-gallon fuel efficiency during the current decade. Further, inadequate fuel efficiency was a factor in Detroit's near-total-collapse: it certainly hurt General Motors' sales.

Some theorize that Detroit didn't do much to reduce vehicle weight for safety reasons: all other factors being equal, when a heavy car meets a light car, the heavy car does not bear the brunt of the energy force/damage. But that light car disadvantage is being lessened by safety features, including multiple air bag systems, crumple zones, and safer interior materials.

Of course, there is one environmental qualifier when increasing per-car MPG - - people in more fuel-efficient cars tend to drive more than in their previous lower MPG cars -- but that's usually more than offset by the reduction in fuel -- and overall greenhouse gases -- of the higher MPG vehicle.

Hence, along with adhere to commitments at Copenhagen, the United States should implement policies that encourage another, big, long-overdue energy-saver: reducing vehicle weight, where possible.

Energy/Auto Sector Analysis: The nation does not have to await the arrival of the 'perfect' electric car in 10 years to reduce emissions from autos: considerable emission reductions can be achieved by getting the weight out! And, of course, more-efficient vehicles will have another advantage -- reduced gasoline expenses -- when $4 per gallon gasoline gets here, later if not sooner.