Engineer gets 110 MPG out of 1987 Mustang

[Florida_Bronco]

This is really cool stuff. As a Mustang/car enthusiast/speed guy, I've been pretty worried about what effect the gas prices and emissions laws would have on the performance market but it certainly appears there is hope out there.

http://www.local6.com/automotive/16768626/detail.html

Engineer Gets 110 MPG Out Of '87 Mustang
Ohio Man Competing For $10M Prize

POSTED: 10:21 am EDT July 2, 2008
UPDATED: 11:07 am EDT July 2, 2008


Doug Pelmear said he isn't toying with the engine of 1987 Ford Mustang for the money.

The engineer's tinkering, however, could earn him $10 million and save him plenty more in gas money.

Pelmear, who lives in Napoleon, Ohio, has tweaked his Mustang to get 110 mpg, making the engine nearly five times as efficient as a traditional gas engine, he told the Toledo Blade newspaper.

"We redesigned a lot of different things on the [engine] block," Pelmear told the paper. "It's still a rod-and-piston engine; it just has a lot more electronics on it."

Traditional gas engines operate at 8 to 10 percent, efficiency, while the engine on the Mustang, he said, is at 38 percent efficiency.

He said he could greatly increase even that number if his car used traditional gasoline instead of a mix of gas and 85 percent ethanol.

Pelmear entered his car to win the the $10 million Progressive Automotive X Prize: a race to find an affordable, marketable automobile that gets at least 100 miles per gallon.

"I'm an optimist, and I think people need to know there is hope out there," Pelmear told the Toledo Blade. "That's why I decided to enter the X Prize race. I could have sold this [technology] off, but then people might not have seen it.

Pelmear told television station WNWO that the car hasn't traded power for miles per gallon. Pelmear said the car has 400 horsepower, goes well over 100 mph and can go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds.

"This will bring back the automotive industry when they can sell trucks and SUVs and the models that are almost dead at this time," he told WNWO.

I'll really be excited to see if this technology hits the market, is affordable and reliable.

[TailgateNut]

400 ponies and 100MPG. I'll take 2!;D

[Florida_Bronco]

400 ponies and 100MPG. I'll take 2!;D

We can sure as hell agree on this. That's an EXTREMELY serious accomplishment.

[theAPAOps5]

Lets hope its viable. He really thought out of the box on this one and that is awesome. Everyone else is looking at fuel alternatives but he recognized the inefficient nature of the internal combustion engine and corrected it. Imagine filling up a 17gal tank and not having to fuel up for 1700 miles. I bet oil supplies would increase drastically.

[Tombstone RJ]

It's almost too good to be true. If this is real, I'm betting one of the big three pays this guy a bazillion dollars for the technology. High horsepower and super high gas mileage? That's the holy grail of our car hungry society.

[peacepipe]

If some joe schmoe in Ohio can build a car that gets 100 mpg,what's the hold up with ford & other manufacturers. freakin pathetic.

[alkemical]

If some joe schmoe in Ohio can build a car that gets 100 mpg,what's the hold up with ford & other manufacturers. freakin pathetic.

Makes you wonder if it's intentional, eh?

[theAPAOps5]

Hmmmm corporate oil and corporate automobile manufacturers, anyone see the common denominator here?

[alkemical]

Nope!

[Bronco Yoda]

110 mpg ?
400 HP ?
0-60 in 3 seconds ?

I'm calling B.S. on this one. Wish it were true but I'd have to see way more details before I swallow this one.

[Dudeskey]

400 ponies and 100MPG. I'll take 2!;D

no ****... @ 38% efficiency... makes the engineers @ some of these manufacturers seem pathetic

[TexanBob]

110 mpg ?
400 HP ?
0-60 in 3 seconds ?

I'm calling B.S. on this one. Wish it were true but I'd have to see way more details before I swallow this one.

Me too. I hope it's true but it just sounds implausible to me.

[Tombstone RJ]

It's an interesting video if you watch it. The guy says with some more tweaking, he might be able to get 500 miles to a gallon. Holy bajeezus!

Is it a scam, I hope not!

[baja]

Not a scam look at the efficiency of the internal combustion engine. We all have heard of water injected carburetors that could get 200 MPG that the oil companies bought up the patents on.

[Spider]

Man if I could get 50 MPG out of my rig .......

[BroncoBuff]

Where's crazyhorse? He need to weigh in on this ;D

[Dudeskey]

Man if I could get 50 MPG out of my rig .......

Thats a whole lot of money to take home if you operate on that mpg...:~ohyah!:

[Spider]

Thats a whole lot of money to take home if you operate on that mpg...:~ohyah!:

LOL I would have to siphon fuel out at the end of the week just to have something to bitch about

[Bronco_Beerslug]

I don't know, sounds a little far-fetched to me...

--------------------------------------------------------------

Toledo TV station (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/07/02/toledo-tv-station-checks-out-110mpg-mustangs-leaves-skepticis/) checks out "110mpg" Mustangs, leaves skepticism at home

Posted Jul 2nd 2008 at 11:19AM by Sam Abuelsamid (http://www.autobloggreen.com/bloggers/sam-abuelsamid/)
Filed under: MPG (http://www.autobloggreen.com/category/mpg/), Green Daily (http://www.autobloggreen.com/category/green-daily/)
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2008/07/110mpg-car.jpgA Toledo, Ohio-area mechanic is claiming to have a miracle breakthrough originally conceived by his grandfather more than 60 years ago. The development has supposedly been installed on Doug Pelmear's 1987 Ford Mustang and allows it to achieve 80-110mpg, depending on which story you believe. Personally, I'm not inclined to believe either story.

Particularly since Pelmear also claims that the Mustang now produces 400hp and 500lb-ft of torque and accelerates from 0-60mph in 3 seconds with a top speed of 180mph. 400hp would not be nearly enough to move a Fox-body Mustang of this vintage through the air at that speed nor would it give the car that kind of acceleration especially not while achieving that kind of fuel efficiency.

A Toledo TV station visited with Pelmear and reporter Aaron Brilbeck decided that any hint of skepticism or even probing questions about exactly how this machine works would be inappropriate. The Mustang does have E85 stickers on it, although using ethanol would be unlikely to be beneficial unless the mileage number is based purely on the amount of gasoline used directly as fuel and ignoring the ethanol. Pelmear apparently intends to enter his car in the Automotive X-Prize, where a few more probing questions will be asked. Thanks to Paul and Brent for the tips!

[Sources: WNWO.com (http://www.wnwo.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=153939), MustangEvolution (http://www.mustangevolution.com/20080702712/)]

[Crushaholic]

It's almost too good to be true, but we'll see. Fuel efficiency has been about the only thing in the world that hasn't increased in several years...

[Spider]

I don't know, sounds a little far-fetched to me...

--------------------------------------------------------------

Toledo TV station (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/07/02/toledo-tv-station-checks-out-110mpg-mustangs-leaves-skepticis/) checks out "110mpg" Mustangs, leaves skepticism at home

Posted Jul 2nd 2008 at 11:19AM by Sam Abuelsamid (http://www.autobloggreen.com/bloggers/sam-abuelsamid/)
Filed under: MPG (http://www.autobloggreen.com/category/mpg/), Green Daily (http://www.autobloggreen.com/category/green-daily/)
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2008/07/110mpg-car.jpgA Toledo, Ohio-area mechanic is claiming to have a miracle breakthrough originally conceived by his grandfather more than 60 years ago. The development has supposedly been installed on Doug Pelmear's 1987 Ford Mustang and allows it to achieve 80-110mpg, depending on which story you believe. Personally, I'm not inclined to believe either story.

Particularly since Pelmear also claims that the Mustang now produces 400hp and 500lb-ft of torque and accelerates from 0-60mph in 3 seconds with a top speed of 180mph. 400hp would not be nearly enough to move a Fox-body Mustang of this vintage through the air at that speed nor would it give the car that kind of acceleration especially not while achieving that kind of fuel efficiency.

A Toledo TV station visited with Pelmear and reporter Aaron Brilbeck decided that any hint of skepticism or even probing questions about exactly how this machine works would be inappropriate. The Mustang does have E85 stickers on it, although using ethanol would be unlikely to be beneficial unless the mileage number is based purely on the amount of gasoline used directly as fuel and ignoring the ethanol. Pelmear apparently intends to enter his car in the Automotive X-Prize, where a few more probing questions will be asked. Thanks to Paul and Brent for the tips!

[Sources: WNWO.com (http://www.wnwo.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=153939), MustangEvolution (http://www.mustangevolution.com/20080702712/)]
who knows , some guy out here near douglas invented a fuel itemizer , didnt get no 110 mpg , but it did work to save fuel got something like 5 miles more to the gallon ...... and it did rob horespower

[enjolras]

A 30% increase in efficiency would be pretty impressive. There are absolutely no details here so I'm going to be quite skeptical. There have been several of these stories lately (including a resurgence in the 'browns gas' magic) that have boiled down to nothing... the second law of thermodynamics is a pain in the ass really.

[Tombstone RJ]

Well, if this guy is full of it, he's sure gonna make an azz of himself when he's asked to reveal his secrets, or he's approached by Ford and offered a big ole slice of the pie if he can share his technology.

Is he just doing this for the attention? Man, I hope not, because if this is real, viable technology, it demonstrates the best in what it means to be an American. This story has all the potential of living the dream.

It also has all the makings of "too good to be true."

[The Lone Bolt]

I too am highly skeptical, but if he has entered the Auto X-Prize he may very well have something. We shall see . . .

Next year it's put up or shut up time for the entrants.

[kappys]

I'm curious what the additional cost would be per car made with this technology? Likely to be worth it regardless.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

I'm curious what the additional cost would be per car made with this technology? Likely to be worth it regardless.Well, that's the whole question so far, does it even exist?

[alkemical]

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=585906

Japanese company invents car that runs on water

[Bronco Jamus]

Makes you wonder if it's intentional, eh?

I don't wonder about it.

[TheDave]

A 30% increase in efficiency would be pretty impressive. There are absolutely no details here so I'm going to be quite skeptical. There have been several of these stories lately (including a resurgence in the 'browns gas' magic) that have boiled down to nothing... the second law of thermodynamics is a pain in the ass really.

I would comfortably bet my life this is bull****... I refuse to believe some goof in Ohio just crushed 100's of millions of dollars of research spent on some of the best minds in the business in his back yard.

[Inkana7]

I've been to Napoleon Ohio. It's no surprise that this came from there. There's nothing much to do up there but tinker with your cars, drink, and watch the corn grow.

[brncs_fan]

I would comfortably bet my life this is bull****... I refuse to believe some goof in Ohio just crushed 100's of millions of dollars of research spent on some of the best minds in the business in his back yard.

George Lucas was once doing an interview in which he stated that kids were some of the best inventors because they don't have the "box" that the rest of us are trying to think out of.

I am guessing that this could be the same for those outside of the industry as well.

[crazyhorse]

Where's crazyhorse? He need to weigh in on this ;D

Without knowing the particulars, I would say that it would be tough to go from 0-60 in 3 seconds with 400 hp. You could perhaps do it with gears, but would suffer on the fuel mileage end.

That said, I hope it's true. Even if the numbers were half that, it would be very encouraging.

Of course, I'm hoping to get 15 mpg out of my 500 hp Mustang using 93 octane. hmmm...

[BroncoBuff]

Of course, I'm hoping to get 15 mpg out of my 500 hp Mustang using 93 octane. hmmm...
How about some recent pics of your progress?

[crazyhorse]

How about some recent pics of your progress?


Not much to report cosmetically. But mechanically and electrically it's near finished. Here's the latest. You may have already seen it.

Not really even getting into it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZT_L8FRsgo

[baja]

Motorbike runs on water;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW_LQqJk740

[~Crash~]

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=585906

Japanese company invents car that runs on water

that car would put the end to opec !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:~ohya h!: :~ohyah!: :~ohyah!: :thumbsup:

[~Crash~]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKM4pb9Oxrg&feature=related

[~Crash~]

hho sounds really cool hope the guy is on to something if the miltary wants it it must be great !!1

[TheDave]

George Lucas was once doing an interview in which he stated that kids were some of the best inventors because they don't have the "box" that the rest of us are trying to think out of.

I am guessing that this could be the same for those outside of the industry as well.

As I said i would comfortably bet my life against it...

By the way as for his claim that the car produces 400hp and does 0-60 in 3 seconds... I would also be comfortable that that car (and his accompanying statistics) doesn't crack 4 seconds.

This entire thing is about as BS as the 100 mpg carburetor in the 1970's

[Bronco_Beerslug]

As I said i would comfortably bet my life against it...
By the way as for his claim that the car produces 400hp and does 0-60 in 3 seconds... I would also be comfortable that that car (and his accompanying statistics) doesn't crack 4 seconds.
This entire thing is about as BS as the 100 mpg carburetor in the 1970'sWay to go thread killer.................ROFL!

[enjolras]

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=585906

Japanese company invents car that runs on water

They didn't invent anything. Various forms of the same idea have been around for decades, and its complete magic. It doesn't run on water, it runs on electricity (poorly). The article is light on details, but I'm guessing that they're using Oxyhydrodgen (using electrolysis to convert water to a combustible material). At that point your powering your car not on water, but on electricity and using the produced Oxyhydrodgen as a VERY inefficient carrier of that energy.

This isn't going to run for long without violating the 2nd law of thermodynamics.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

55-mph speed limit may have found its Washington patron

<!-- story_videobox.comp --> <!-- /story_videobox.comp --> <!-- No component assigned to this asset type id () --> By Dave Montgomery | McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — Is the double-nickel speed limit ready for a comeback?
Congress thus far has shown no movement toward resurrecting the 55-mph speed limit, but one of the Senate's senior members — Republican John Warner of Virginia — says it's time to start the conversation about an energy-saving national speed limit to help spare Americans from usurious fuel costs.
The 55-mph limit was imposed by federal law during the energy crisis of the mid-1970s, remained in effect for 20 years and ultimately was booted off the roadways by Congress in 1995 amid near-universal contempt among motorists.
<!-- story_factbox.comp --> <!-- /story_factbox.comp --> Warner hasn't specified what a new limit should be, but he points out that Americans saved 167,000 barrels of petroleum a day when the 55-mph speed limit was in effect. He told fellow senators this week that he'll probably proceed with legislation after the Energy Department determines the most fuel-efficient speed limit for the nation's highways.
"We have to take the lead in Congress, and hopefully the president will join," Warner said on the Senate floor. "We have that duty."
Among those joining the call for a national speed limit are truckers, who've been hammered by diesel fuel costs expected to reach $135 billion this year, $22 billion more than last year.
American Trucking Associations, which represents 3.5 million truck drivers and 37,000 trucking companies, is asking Washington to set a national limit of 65 mph. A 10-mile reduction from 75 mph, spokesman Clayton Boyce said, would lower fuel consumption by 27 percent.
Since 55 was abolished as the national speed limit, states have been free to set their own. The limit in most states, according to the American Automobile Association, is 65 or 70, and several states allow 75. In desolate stretches of far West Texas, motorists are allowed to do 80.
Try driving 55 on any stretch of open road in America today and it's easy to see why a return to the double nickel — as it was nicknamed during its two-decade life span — seems remote. But a Web site operator based in Sacramento, Calif., who's an authority on the 55-mph speed limit says attitudes are shifting rapidly as the cost of gasoline climbs.
"There has been a tremendous uptick in interest," said Tim Castleman, whose Internet-based Drive 55 Conservation Project urges drivers to keep the needle no higher than 55. Responses to his Web site, which Castleman said ran about even between pro and con, offer an unscientific gauge of the current mood toward the 55-mph limit.
A writer from St. Louis said 55 ``is the silver bullet to stop these crazy gas prices.''
At the other end of the spectrum came this declaration: "I choose to drive 80 mph with my SUV and will continue to do that regardless of the posted speed limit."
In Congress, the idea of reinstituting a national speed limit was below the radar for most lawmakers until Warner began endorsing it. Many lawmakers, particularly those from big states, are likely to be unwilling to resurrect any variation of a highway law that the driving public widely condemned and ultimately ignored.
"It's not a real solution," said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.
Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., said the 55-mph limit "didn't work so well the last time," though he acknowledged that it would save fuel.
Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill., said drivers already were conserving by carpooling, limiting trips and slowing down. "I do not believe that we need more government regulation in this arena," he said.
Other lawmakers say the concept merits consideration.
"I certainly think we should hear Senator Warner out and debate the issue and look at the facts," said Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Ill. "If it will save lives and if it will reduce the amount of gasoline and diesel fuel that is used on the roads, then it is something that we certainly ought to take a look at."
Warner, who was the Navy secretary during the early 1970s, said that the 55-mph national speed limit was the ``centerpiece'' of America's efforts to ``work its way through'' the '70s energy crisis. Subsequent studies showed that the law lessened the nation's highway fuel consumption by 2 percent and saved up to 4,000 lives a year by reducing accidents.
``Given the significant increase in the number of vehicles on America's highway system,'' he said, ``one could assume that the amount of fuel that could be conserved today is far greater.''
Warner has asked the Energy Department to determine the most energy-saving speed — and the potential fuel savings — if a new national limit is imposed. If the study shows that a mandated speed limit will curb demand and fuel costs, Warner told senators, he'll probably introduce legislation and try to build bipartisan support.
In a telephone interview, Warner said ``the thing that got me out of my chair'' on the issue was when he read about a group of charity volunteers who couldn't afford to deliver meals to the needy because of high gasoline prices.
"There are millions and millions of Americans suffering terribly from these high gas prices," he said.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/43926.html

[baja]

Nobody ever drove 55 on the Interstate highways it was just a gift warped legal excuse for cops to stop anyone they wanted to. If you were a good looking chick with a low cut blouse in a convertible doing 56 you were likely to get stopped while other less appealing motorists zipped past at 70.

Long haired hippies also got stopped for "speeding"

No to the double nickel.

[Drek]

I would comfortably bet my life this is bull****... I refuse to believe some goof in Ohio just crushed 100's of millions of dollars of research spent on some of the best minds in the business in his back yard.

And who exactly are these 'best minds in the business" who've been given 100's of millions of dollars to do this?

It certainly isn't someone working for a major automotive company.

[That One Guy]

OK.. assuming 20 MPG for a hypothetical car at 80 and assuming you get 25% more fuel economy at 55, let me see the details.

On a 400 mile trip, I would use 20 gallons at 80 mph and 16 gallons at 55. That trip would cost me approximately $80 at 80 mph and approximately $64 at 55. That trip would also then take me 5 hours at 80 mph and 7 and a half hours at 55.

So two and a half more hours to save $16 per 400 miles. If my math adds up, I'm willing to pay the money to get the trip over with. If you're on a longer trip, you definitely wont be able to cover the extra hotel rooms and meals as your trip gets drug into longer/more days. On shorter trips, the monetary difference is lessened.

Is there really a benefit? If you want to save the extra money, drive 55 as it is. Leave the opportunity open for those who don't mind spending a little extra to get it done and over with. Heck, I bet it's more fuel efficient to drive a bus and ground all airplanes...

[TheDave]

And who exactly are these 'best minds in the business" who've been given 100's of millions of dollars to do this?

It certainly isn't someone working for a major automotive company.

Give me a break... between honda, toyota, mazda, Nissan, GM, Ford, and Chrysler, Billions have been spent on R&D. The automotive giants have been hiring the best of the best for decades. A holy grail like 400 hp and 100mpg out of a 4.6 litre v8 would be worth countless sums of money.

again, i highly doubt some goof figured this out in his back yard.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Warner hasn't specified what a new limit should be, but he points out that Americans saved 167,000 barrels of petroleum a day when the 55-mph speed limit was in effect..

[That One Guy]

.

The concern at this point (for individuals) isn't really a shortage of oil. Every gas station I know of has an ample supply and it's waiting there for me when I go to fill up. The cost is the concern. As long as someone out there can control the market with supply and demand, they can fluctuate supply easier than we can fluctuate demand. The answer to this is a process which directly affects the consumer and works bottom up, the deciding minds are too far up to work top down.

[enjolras]

And who exactly are these 'best minds in the business" who've been given 100's of millions of dollars to do this?

It certainly isn't someone working for a major automotive company.

Earlier this decade GM had sunk something like a billion dollars into the development of Hydrogen fuel cells and an associated electric chassis. Honda just brought out a fuel cell car. BMW is bringing out electric cars. Mercedez has pledged to completely phase standard gasoline out of their lineup completely. I'm guessing there are lots of other examples.

Major automotive companies, from what I can tell, are pumping huge money into trying to find oil alternatives. There is a huge payoff coming for which ever one does it first.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Thieves take eateries’ oil, which powers cars and has gained value with higher gas prices. (http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/701955.html) - Kansas City Star'

[~Crash~]

And who exactly are these 'best minds in the business" who've been given 100's of millions of dollars to do this?

It certainly isn't someone working for a major automotive company.

Try again Chevey and toyota are working togther in trying to find a way to burn water and they are spending a billion ...

[alkemical]

Try again Chevey and toyota are working togther in trying to find a way to burn water and they are spending a billion ...

I heard the water in the great lakes caught on fire once... :)

[c_lazy_r]

55-mph speed limit may have found its Washington patron

<!-- story_videobox.comp --> <!-- /story_videobox.comp --> <!-- No component assigned to this asset type id () --> By Dave Montgomery | McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — Is the double-nickel speed limit ready for a comeback?
Congress thus far has shown no movement toward resurrecting the 55-mph speed limit, but one of the Senate's senior members — Republican John Warner of Virginia — says it's time to start the conversation about an energy-saving national speed limit to help spare Americans from usurious fuel costs.
The 55-mph limit was imposed by federal law during the energy crisis of the mid-1970s, remained in effect for 20 years and ultimately was booted off the roadways by Congress in 1995 amid near-universal contempt among motorists.
<!-- story_factbox.comp --> <!-- /story_factbox.comp --> Warner hasn't specified what a new limit should be, but he points out that Americans saved 167,000 barrels of petroleum a day when the 55-mph speed limit was in effect. He told fellow senators this week that he'll probably proceed with legislation after the Energy Department determines the most fuel-efficient speed limit for the nation's highways.
"We have to take the lead in Congress, and hopefully the president will join," Warner said on the Senate floor. "We have that duty."
Among those joining the call for a national speed limit are truckers, who've been hammered by diesel fuel costs expected to reach $135 billion this year, $22 billion more than last year.
American Trucking Associations, which represents 3.5 million truck drivers and 37,000 trucking companies, is asking Washington to set a national limit of 65 mph. A 10-mile reduction from 75 mph, spokesman Clayton Boyce said, would lower fuel consumption by 27 percent.
Since 55 was abolished as the national speed limit, states have been free to set their own. The limit in most states, according to the American Automobile Association, is 65 or 70, and several states allow 75. In desolate stretches of far West Texas, motorists are allowed to do 80.
Try driving 55 on any stretch of open road in America today and it's easy to see why a return to the double nickel — as it was nicknamed during its two-decade life span — seems remote. But a Web site operator based in Sacramento, Calif., who's an authority on the 55-mph speed limit says attitudes are shifting rapidly as the cost of gasoline climbs.
"There has been a tremendous uptick in interest," said Tim Castleman, whose Internet-based Drive 55 Conservation Project urges drivers to keep the needle no higher than 55. Responses to his Web site, which Castleman said ran about even between pro and con, offer an unscientific gauge of the current mood toward the 55-mph limit.
A writer from St. Louis said 55 ``is the silver bullet to stop these crazy gas prices.''
At the other end of the spectrum came this declaration: "I choose to drive 80 mph with my SUV and will continue to do that regardless of the posted speed limit."
In Congress, the idea of reinstituting a national speed limit was below the radar for most lawmakers until Warner began endorsing it. Many lawmakers, particularly those from big states, are likely to be unwilling to resurrect any variation of a highway law that the driving public widely condemned and ultimately ignored.
"It's not a real solution," said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.
Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., said the 55-mph limit "didn't work so well the last time," though he acknowledged that it would save fuel.
Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill., said drivers already were conserving by carpooling, limiting trips and slowing down. "I do not believe that we need more government regulation in this arena," he said.
Other lawmakers say the concept merits consideration.
"I certainly think we should hear Senator Warner out and debate the issue and look at the facts," said Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Ill. "If it will save lives and if it will reduce the amount of gasoline and diesel fuel that is used on the roads, then it is something that we certainly ought to take a look at."
Warner, who was the Navy secretary during the early 1970s, said that the 55-mph national speed limit was the ``centerpiece'' of America's efforts to ``work its way through'' the '70s energy crisis. Subsequent studies showed that the law lessened the nation's highway fuel consumption by 2 percent and saved up to 4,000 lives a year by reducing accidents.
``Given the significant increase in the number of vehicles on America's highway system,'' he said, ``one could assume that the amount of fuel that could be conserved today is far greater.''
Warner has asked the Energy Department to determine the most energy-saving speed — and the potential fuel savings — if a new national limit is imposed. If the study shows that a mandated speed limit will curb demand and fuel costs, Warner told senators, he'll probably introduce legislation and try to build bipartisan support.
In a telephone interview, Warner said ``the thing that got me out of my chair'' on the issue was when he read about a group of charity volunteers who couldn't afford to deliver meals to the needy because of high gasoline prices.
"There are millions and millions of Americans suffering terribly from these high gas prices," he said.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/43926.html


The individual states should be the ones determining the speed limits anyway. I hate how the Federal government withholds funding to states that don't comply with the Fed's "recommendations".

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

• Support grows to bring back national speed limit of 55 mph (http://www.yahoo.com/s/920766)

[BABronco]

• Support grows to bring back national speed limit of 55 mph (http://www.yahoo.com/s/920766)

thats it... im getting a fuzz jammer and radar detector

[Bronco Jamus]

• Support grows to bring back national speed limit of 55 mph (http://www.yahoo.com/s/920766)

They need to raise it to 90.

[~Crash~]

Not much to report cosmetically. But mechanically and electrically it's near finished. Here's the latest. You may have already seen it.

Not really even getting into it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZT_L8FRsgo



got any new pics ?

also the water thing anyone trying it ?

[watermock]

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/06/genepax-water-powered-car-japan-debunking.php

debunked

[Florida_Bronco]

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/06/genepax-water-powered-car-japan-debunking.php

debunked

That's not the same car.

[BroncoDoug]

Looks like he had to close up shop, he couldn't get anymore funding...


http://www.mustangevolution.com/201101306666/

[That One Guy]

Looks like he had to close up shop, he couldn't get anymore funding...


http://www.mustangevolution.com/201101306666/

I just absolutely cannot believe SOMEONE hasn't jumped on his technology if it were sincere. Heck, Bill Gates does enough philanthropic work that this would be a drop in a bucket to support. The Virgin Mobile guy is all over new technology. SOMEONE would've been personally vested if it were really the case.