Ford organized an eco-driving "demonstration" (and charity fund raiser) to promote the Fusion hybrid over the weekend and managed to go 1446 miles on a single tank of fuel.
They succeeded in demonstrating that the
pulse and glide driving technique and very low average speeds can return great fuel economy.
Their goal was to beat 1000 miles on a tank of gas, which they handily did:
- Passed the 1,000 mile mark after 47 continuous hours, according to Ford (avg. speed of 21.3 mph / 34 km/h - my calc.)
- Finished at 1,445.7 miles after 69 hours, for a total of 81.5 mpg (US) / 2.9 L/100 km, according to Jalopnik (avg. speed of 20.95 mph / 34 km/h - my calc)
Wayne from CleanMPG
was on hand as a driver and tutor to the team of drivers who took shifts behind the wheel (including a NASCAR racer who headlined the event).
Congrats Ford, Wayne and NASCAR dude!
(I hope Ford also publicises the average speed of the event. No holds barred fuel economy stunts can be fun and educational and produce spectacular numbers, but I'm a firm believer in providing full disclosure / context. Otherwise they verge on being misleading to Joe Public.)