fuel efficiency
Quick Summary
Fuel efficiency refers to the use of less fuel to achieve a specific output, such as traveling a certain distance. In the context of automobiles, it's often measured in miles per gallon (mpg). Improving fuel efficiency is a goal driven by factors like reducing dependence on foreign oil and mitigating climate change, as vehicles are significant emitters of greenhouse gases.12
Hybrid cars, for example, combine gasoline engines with electric motors to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. Technologies like regenerative braking help capture energy that would otherwise be lost as heat, storing it to power the electric motor. Government regulations, such as the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards in the United States, also aim to improve the fuel economy of vehicles sold.32
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