Every Drop Counts: Nissan to Equip Cars with Fuel Efficient ECO Pedals
The 1990’s were the host of many great fads. Furby, Tamagachis, string theory, the examples are as numerous as the many incarnations of Prince. Fast forward to 2008, and it seems that America’s fads are finally becoming practical. Hypermiling is the new hoola-hoop, and it’s even more convenient because there is more than one way to do it. While some prefer drafting and coasting in neutral whenever possible, most drivers just watch their tachometers.
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Nissan motors caught on to this trend in driving, and is set to release the ECO pedal on all 2009 Nissan motor vehicles. On a basic level, the ECO pedal uses a computer to watch the tachometer for you, and adjusts your acceleration accordingly through pedal resistance. When a driver accelerates inefficiently, the pedal will push back on the driver to ensure smooth acceleration. Remember that combustion engines waste the most gasoline during acceleration because of the higher rotations per minute (RPM) that the engine has to endure. The pistons of the engine fill with gas and combustion takes place at a higher frequency, sacrificing fuel efficiency. Of course, the counter-pressure is just a reminder to the driver, Nissan is not enforcing hypermiling.
The ECO system pedal is constantly receiving data from the engine on the rate of fuel consumption (for both coasting and accelerating), and calculates the optimum acceleration rate. Internal research done by Nissan shows that the ECO pedal will increase fuel efficiency anywhere between 5-10%. The system will also include an eco-driving indicator which changes color based on fuel efficiency. I’ve only seen BMW’s with mile per gallon monitors, but something tells me that BMW drivers don’t pay attention to fuel efficiency. At optimal acceleration conditions, the ECO light is green, and turns a sickly yellow during unfavorable conditions. The ECO pedal also has an on-off switch, which many will probably find useful for merging on to highways and the like.
Hypermiling is not a new phenomenon. In a recent article from Wired, people reportedly began hypermiling as early as World War II. There are definitely much safer ways to increase fuel efficeincy, and Nissan has taken advantage of this demand. On a speculative note, I’d find it awfully strange if no one else followed suit or hasn’t been working on an ECO pedal of their own.
More posts on making every gallon count:
- 100+ Eco Driving Tips to Get Better Mileage in Your Car
- Low Impact Living: Hypermiling- My Mileage is Better than Your Mileage
- What’s Your Kiwi Score? Device Trains You How to Save Gas
You can find a pictorial explanation of Nissan’s ECO pedal here.
Photo from Nissan Motors.
Wow! People were actually hypermiling back in WW2? That’s pretty awesome. Never knew that.
Also, I think what Nissan is doing is pretty awesome, and will definitely be something that other manufacturers will probably be following. I guess we’ll find out!
Um, here’s one BMW owner that pays attention to fuel efficiency. Just because one has a ‘luxury’ car doesn’t mean one is immune from gas prices. My 112k mile 2003 330i sedan gets 33-34 mpg on the highway, where 90% of my 35-mile commute is. It does this with 89 octane at 75mph. Additionally, it’s ULEV, and it has plenty of power on tap for passing.
This is great, I have been a fan (and owner) of Nissan cars for years. I can’t wait to see this in production.
The other automakers are smart realizing that taking away a significant part of a driver’s control over the vehicle can endanger everyone.
Imagine driving on the highway and having to step on it to avoid a collision. Instead, Nissan’s pedal pushes back, putting you in hazard’s way.
No thanks.
Matt,
Just press harder, I would not want to drive a car that I could not override the option myself.
Personally I would love to have that kind of feed back.
OM
I drive a BMW, and I love and constantly use the built in MPG monitor. Like the other commenter, I have a 2003 BMW, a 330xi, and the MPG monitor helped refine my hypermiling so that I am consistently getting about 35-50% better MPG than the EPA estimates.
I drive a BMW, not a Bentley, and I feel the pain at the pump.
[...] Every Drop Counts: Nissan to Equip Cars With Fuel Efficient ECO Pedals [...]
Hypermiling includes a wide variety of ideas a tactics not mentioned in your article. For more information go to cleanmpg.com