Could the ignition system of a gasoline powered vehicle run at a higher voltage with less gas consumption?

Question

Perhaps higher voltage would need less energy to produce a spark? And therefore the fuel would not have to be so potent? Perhaps the fuel would burn more efficiently on higher voltage and there could be more profit in the same crack spread and mileage would increase?

Answer 1

I don't think so. The there are several things that come to mind. The voltage to jump the gap of the spark plug is not a setting within the coil or the ignition system. It is what it is. The voltage generated to jump the spark is determined by the gap and the condition within the combustion chamber. As the voltage rises and the conditions are such, the spark will discharge and the electromagnetic field within the coil collapses. Just because you have a 60,000 volt coil it does not mean that the spark that is produced is 60,000 volts, only that the coil or system is capable of producing that much. If you had a massive discharge of electricity you would have a problem with detonation, which is what you would have if all the fuel air mixture exploded at the same time. That melts pistons and heads. Combustion Chambers are designed so you have a smooth flame front that travels across the chamber and a smooth release of the energy in the fuel air charge.

There is only so much energy within a volume of gasoline. They are referred to as calories or potential thermal units.  Most is not transmitted to the wheels, most is lost to the cooling system to prevent over heating and some is lost to friction within the engine, and some is lost due to friction in the drive-train (transmission). Fuel burns and produces energy that is imparted to the crankshaft and on to the drive wheels.