|
Whenever I suggest a goal for fuel economy, I always include the conditions which I try to ride:
Vetter Conditions are 70 mph, into a 35 mph headwind, with a useful load - like four bags of groceries, sitting up and comfortable, being our first choice of vehicles in the garage.
These are very specific goals. I find these conditions heading north on California Highway 101, between San Ardo and Salinas late afternoons in the summer.
I admit that there are not many places like this. But these conditions occur regularly here and it is where I like to test what is possible. Fred Hayes was certain that his Diesel got 125 mpg in his similar test conditions but when he ran alongside me last Fall, his mileage dropped to about 90 mpg. And that was with only 20 mph headwinds.
90 mpg in Vetter wind Conditions is pretty impressive. But it is not 125 mpg, is it?
He could not carry groceries, either. So far, no vehicle has proven to get 100 mpg in the Vetter Conditions.
Maybe 2011 will be the year.
|