Ultra-High Efficiency Methanol Engines w Advncd Exhaust Energy Recovry: 50% Efficiency gain over ICE

[Bill USA]

18. Regenerative braking is a technology not limited to hybrids. Mazda uses RB and a capacitor to power

the vehicles accessories and produces a 10% improvement in fuel economy.
http://www2.mazda.com/en/publicity/release/2011/201111/111125a.html

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has developed the world’s first passenger vehicle brake energy regeneration system that uses a capacitor to power the vehicle’s electrical components. The groundbreaking system, which Mazda calls 'i-ELOOP', will begin to appear in Mazda's vehicles in 2012. In real-world driving conditions with frequent acceleration and braking, 'i-ELOOP' improves fuel economy by approximately 10 percent.



Mazda's brake energy regeneration system is unique because it uses a capacitor, which is an electrical component that temporarily stores large volumes of electricity. Compared to batteries, capacitors can be charged and discharged rapidly and are resistant to deterioration through prolonged use. 'i-ELOOP' efficiently converts the vehicle's kinetic energy into electricity as it decelerates, and uses the electricity to power the climate control, audio system and numerous other electrical components.

Stop Start feature is being added to conventional ICE powered cars ..

Engine Stop-Start Systems Save Fuel at Low Cost - Less Idling Also Means Less Pollution

Ford's 2013 Fusion with the 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine and six-speed automatic transmission is the first domestic car to be equipped with a stand-alone engine stop-start system. | October 9, 2012 | Ford Motor Company

The rumble of idling cars and trucks is a familiar noise at America's intersections. But it's a sound that's likely to begin fading away in coming years: More and more automakers are using engine stop-start systems to boost fuel efficiency at relatively low cost.

The system, which shuts down a vehicle's engine at idle and immediately restarts it when the driver presses the accelerator or lifts off the brake or clutch pedals, is a feature of every conventional hybrid vehicle in the market. But now stop-start systems are beginning to appear as stand-alone features on conventionally powered cars. Up to 40 percent of all new cars and light trucks sold in the U.S. in 2015 could be equipped with engine stop-start systems, according to Johnson Controls, a major global manufacturer and supplier of the advanced batteries used in stop-start systems.

Fuel Savers

Stop-start systems can cut combined city-highway fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 3-10 percent, and even more when they're combined with hybrid drive systems. By eliminating engine idling, stop-start systems also reduce toxic and smog-causing tailpipe emissions. The systems deliver their fuel economy improvements in city situations that involve lots of stop-and-go driving. And they can do it at relatively little cost to the consumer.
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Regarding coasting - I drive a stick and I do a lot of coasting to red lights - although I don't turn the engine off - OMG! But the engine does idle at lower rpm than letting the car stay in gear as I slow down.

The coasting and regenerative braking, are of course part of how the hybrids achieve better fuel efficiency and are therefore included in the fuel efficiency figures.

As I said, I think hybrids are cool. My only point is that it will take a considerable period of time for hybrids to be widely owned. Unfortunately, we are about out of time.

But whatever I - or others (yes there are those who have tried to propose use of more biofuels) - say, it really isn't going to make any difference. People are not going to vote for a commitment to adding methanol to the fuel mix. The oil companies have managed to demonize alcohol fuel thoroughly enough that people are certain that ethanol and methanol (if anybody ever mentions methanol) are fuels from Hell and they will never support a commitment to add methanol to the light transportation fuel mix. Maybe, and I do mean Maybe - when things get even worse, people might listen to the argument for more biofuels.. Of course, by the time that happens were going to be even further into the Black Hole of Global Warming... I wish I could laugh ...( only when drunk).