New technology can reduce wasted gas use 03/14/2011
Automakers have taken notice of a report by the Energy Department which states that vehicles waste about 17.2 percent of their gas when they are idle at red lights, stop signs or in traffic. To reduce this effect, car companies are using a technology called stop-start systems, according to the New York Times.

With the recent rise in gas prices, several consumers are looking for ways to reduce how much fuel they use. General Motors, one of the largest car manufacturers in the world, recently announced that it would be using the stop-start systems. The company has named their version eAssist and it will be included in the 2012 full-size Buick LaCrosse sedan, the news source reported.

"We call this a 'light electrified' technology, and it provides a lot of bang for the buck in terms of overall cost, compared with full hybrids," chief engineer for eAssist, Steve Poulos, told the news provider. "It could become our base powertrain."

Thanks to the 2.4-liter eAssist, the LaCrosse will be able to achieve between 25 city and 37 highway miles per gallon, which is 25 percent more miles to the gallon than the 2011 model, reported the news source.