[justjohn]

Yes, I thought it through briefly beforehand and I was planning on doing b, as that seems the most fair. (It should be change in speed per fuel used, but with distance covered factored in so that slow modes don't come out falsely disadvantaged)

My rough plan was to try 4 modes of acceleration (just slow medium brisk and full, nothing fancy to start with) to a specific speed, both ways on a short course and compare. Probably another couple sets at different speeds.