Question: Considering the "Green" movement, what will happen to the pick up truck?

[Bamabuzzard]

Share
 

As the government is aggressively moving toward making auto makers to build vehicles more "environmental friendly" what will be the future of the pick up truck? I know I have a 2004 Chevy pick up that I use A LOT for hauling. With these mpg standards that have to be in place by what 2022 I wonder are we seeing the death of the pick up truck? For a truck to be able to haul and do the things a lot of people need them for they have to be made out of more than just plastic parts. I hope our technology can save the pick up because if not there are going to be a lot of people that rely on them on a regular basis that will be SOL.

[Bama4Ever831]

	Quote:	Bamabuzzard
	As the government is aggressively moving toward making auto makers to build vehicles more "environmental friendly" what will be the future of the pick up truck? I know I have a 2004 Chevy pick up that I use A LOT for hauling. With these mpg standards that have to be in place by what 2022 I wonder are we seeing the death of the pick up truck? For a truck to be able to haul and do the things a lot of people need them for they have to be made out of more than just plastic parts. I hope our technology can save the pick up because if not there are going to be a lot of people that rely on them on a regular basis that will be SOL.

If it needs the power that you are talking about, it would definitely go diesel. Look at the VW TDI engine. Imagine it in 10 years on a F150. It won't be the same engine of course, but diesel is much easier to make cleaner.

2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI - First drive of Volkswagen's new clean diesel Jetta - Motor Trend

That would be my guess.

It wouldn't lose any power. At least that would be the plan.

[TideEngineer08]

My guess is, at some point you will have to apply for a permit to operate any vehicle that does not get at least 35 mpg, and I would guess most applications would get turned down and even if they were granted, it would come at a substantial fee. At the rate we are handing over our liberties to the government, this will probably happen in the next 5 years.

[Bamabuzzard]

	Quote:	Bama4Ever831
	If it needs the power that you are talking about, it would definitely go diesel. Look at the VW TDI engine. Imagine it in 10 years on a F150. It won't be the same engine of course, but diesel is much easier to make cleaner. 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI - First drive of Volkswagen's new clean diesel Jetta - Motor Trend That would be my guess. It wouldn't lose any power. At least that would be the plan.

Will the motor be able to reach the required MPG target the government is demanding and still have pulling power? Cars are much easier to get the mpg up because of the size and weight. I agree with TE08 that anyone wanting to use bigger, hauling type of vehicles will probably have to "apply" for some type of permit and get "approved" on top of paying some sort of "environmental fee".

[GreatDanish]

Is it crazy to expect that if you have a pickup truck that gets 15 mpg, you can trade emissions credits with someone who drives a 55 mpg hybrid? That is, unless you drive it less than 6,000 miles per year.

[Bama4Ever831]

	Quote:	Bamabuzzard
	Will the motor be able to reach the required MPG target the government is demanding and still have pulling power? Cars are much easier to get the mpg up because of the size and weight. I agree with TE08 that anyone wanting to use bigger, hauling type of vehicles will probably have to "apply" for some type of permit and get "approved" on top of paying some sort of "environmental fee".

Trucks only need to get to 30 mpg. I think it can be done. 11 years to essentially double the fuel standard. However, if they are requiring only 30 mpg Highway it will be much easier.

2009 Audi Q7 gets 25 mpg highway as an SUV diesel. And this is the first year the new Bluetec engine has been in wide use.

V8
4WD
3.6L
6 cylinder
327 horsepower
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/diesel.shtml (Go to 2009 then the Audi Q7)
http://www.noblerental.com/fleet_07.php

By comparison the new F150 will get
320 hp
V8

2009 Ford F-150 - Consumer Guide Automotive

The pick up truck will not die. It will just have to be redesigned with other things in mind.

I think it would be smart to have almost a reverse hybrid. Let the truck use its gas to start the movement and pick that big load up. Once the truck is at a certain speed mix in some hybrid electric power as the truck requires much less power to keep moving rather than start moving. That would drastically increase its highway MPG.

The biggest thing is to decrease inefficiency. Only 15% of the gas you use actually goes to moving the car or powering useful accessories.
Advanced Technologies & Energy Efficiency

Diesels are much more efficient without losing that power. That is why I'd imagine that is where trucks will go rather than hybrids. No one wants a hybrid truck. That is like trying to pull a boat with a sedan.

[cbi1972]

Now I want to build a 427 Cobra and drive it around on racing fuel.