G2: Notes and queries: A car burns fuel slower at 30mph than at 60mph, but on a given journey the engine is running for twice as long. So which is cheaper?
Unlike John England (N&Q, 4 May) I interpreted the original query as asking what speed (30mph or 60mph) is the most fuel efficient. There is a trade-off: engine efficiency increases with road speed, but higher speeds incur increased air resistance (as the square of the speed).
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| Published in | The Guardian (London) |
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| Main Author | |
| Format | Newspaper Article |
| Language | English |
| Published |
London (UK)
Guardian News & Media Limited
11.05.2011
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| Subjects | |
| Online Access | Get full text |
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| Summary: | Unlike John England (N&Q, 4 May) I interpreted the original query as asking what speed (30mph or 60mph) is the most fuel efficient. There is a trade-off: engine efficiency increases with road speed, but higher speeds incur increased air resistance (as the square of the speed). |
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| ISSN: | 0261-3077 1756-3224 |