Fuel Prices and Energy Use

This week at CES, Ford unveiled a new feature in its navigation system on the upcoming Lincoln MKS. Using a downstream data path from Sirius, the unit will place current gas prices on the map display. Neat idea, but does it encourage more or less consumption of fuel?

In an earlier post, I mentioned our goal to tap the real-time fuel use data from the vehicle (through Onstar/SYNC) and pipe it into CarbonGage's online energy tracking system. Recently I have been working on a few ways to also display part of this data to the driver to affect behavior when he or she is behind the wheel. Most hybrid systems have a "current usage" display, but this system will go a step further by showing the monetary and environmental impact to the driver in real-time.

Carbon "Gauges" may take a few forms, but they should be easy to use and seamless to drivers.

1.) E-ink based stick on LCDs that refresh via Bluetooth/WiFi
2.) Existing vehicle display integration (use a return path)
3.) Other mobile devices (cell phones, etc.)

If you have any thoughts on modifying driving habits in real time, please respond in the comments sections below.