Appendix E

TECHNOLOGY
TECHNOLOGY
AND
AND
INNOVATION
INNOVATION
NHTSA’S FUEL ECONOMY STANDARDS ENCOURAGE MANUFACTURERS TO
DEVELOP INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES TO CONTINUALLY IMPROVE THE
EFFICIENCY OF VEHICLES IN THE UNITED STATES. THESE INCLUDE A WIDE
RANGE OF DEVICES, LIKE, SMARTER AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS AND
ENGINES THAT SHUT OFF AUTOMATICALLY WHEN YOU DON’T NEED THEM.

VISIT NHTSA.GOV FOR
MORE INFORMATION.

THERMAL MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGIES:
WINDOWS

Our standards encourage
manufacturers to install heat
reflective or heat absorbing glass
in passenger cars which keeps cars
cooler in hot weather, and helps to
save fuel because you use your A/C
less. On cold days, these windows
also reduce the amount of heat that
escapes the vehicle, keeping the
inside of the vehicle warmer when the
engine is turned off.

Some new cars are “smart” enough
to know when it’s getting too hot
inside and can automatically lower
the windows a small amount to let hot
air escape, reducing the amount of
air conditioning needed to make the
vehicle cooler.

HIGH EFFICIENCY
EXTERIOR LIGHTS
NHTSA provides incentives for lighting
technologies that use less electricity
compared to conventional lighting
systems. This applies to nearly all the
lights on the outside of vehicles. Less
power running exterior lights means
that less fuel is used.

ACTIVE SEAT VENTILATION

SOLAR REFLECTIVE PAINT

Some new cars have technologies
that keep seats cool without air
conditioning. Less energy directed
to temperature control can lead to
savings at the pump.

We encourage manufacturers to use
paint that reflects sun rays preventing
heat buildup and keeping vehicle
interiors cooler; less energy is needed
to keep the vehicle cool, which helps
to save fuel.

START-STOP TECHNOLOGIES

SOLAR PANELS

Stop-start technology conserves energy
by shutting off a vehicle’s engine when it
is stopped and automatically re-starting
when the driver presses the gas pedal.
This reduces the amount of time the vehicle
spends idling, which leads to less fuel
consumption and emissions.

Some electric, fuel cell electric, hybrid
electric and plug-in hybrid electric
vehicles can have solar panels fitted in
the roof panels of the vehicle. This allows
the vehicle to capture the sun’s energy
and help run the electrical systems which
can save fuel.

DID YOU KNOW?
Only about one quarter of the energy from your car’s fuel is used
to move your car. The rest of the energy is wasted or used to power
accessories. NHTSA standards encourage cars to do better.