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That plane has only scratched the surface of aircraft fuel efficiency. Per research and development by aerodynamicists including Bruce Carmichael, Alex Strojnik, and Sig. Hoerner, a much more streamlined plane could be built and go faster on less fuel, using lighter weight and better aerodynamics such as laminar flow.
Consider that the not-too-good Sweitzer 2-32 sailplane is efficient enough with a ~49' wingspan to maintain level flight at ~60 mph on ~2 hp of thrust. That Sweitzer, btw, is a dog compared to current German sailplanes.
Whittle that plane down to half the size, weight, and wetted area, clean up its rough spots, any you'll get substantially better mileage.
In fact, ~30 years ago the Quickie got over 100 mpg flying at better than ~100 mph on an 18 hp Onan engine, like used in Winnebagos for aux generators. The Quickie, btw, was not the end-all and be-all of homebuilt planes. Small and light, though.
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