Is a 100-mpg Gas Car Possible?
ETA 7/10/2026: For a better physics-based explanation of why I don't think we'll ever see 100 MPG gas-powered cars, see my more recent post on modeling and measuring the dimensionless parameter of efficiency, which is different from fuel economy. The two are related, and we can draw conclusions about each from the mathematical relationship between them which I explain in that post. I also demonstrate how you can calculate the efficiency of your car so you have a baseline measurement to try to improve on if you are so inclined. Systems engineering has a long history despite not becoming a formalized discipline until after World War 2. What is systems engineering? Basically, it is the overarching management of large or complex design projects: identification of customer needs and market, development of requirements, control of subsystems and integration, etc. For example, how is a modern airliner built? First, a preliminary design study is completed, often lasting a few years, b...