Energy and the Automobile

The economy of the United States and of other developed nations in the world is energy-intensive and societies in these countries are mobile. Furthermore, world energy consumption and mobility are increasing. These increases result from public demand; society sets the pattern for growth. Much of this demand for increased mobility will be satisfied by the automobile and the requisite energy by the gasoline which fuels it. However, concern over the role of the automobile as a contributor of atmospheric pollutants and the early imposition of restrictive exhaust emission standards, particularly in the United States, is leading to a critical predicament. This is a consequence of the increased volumes of fuel required for engines and control systems being developed to meet the standards and a growing supply problem for gasoline derived from fossil fuels. Although the final chapter of this saga is not written, this paper attempts to provide an overview of this worrisome energy situation and its possible impact on automotive engineering.