Fusion Hybrid 1,000-Mile Challenge.

This is old news (April, 2009) but very good news, so it worth repeating. Trained drivers using hypermiling techniques achieved 1,445 miles on a single tank of gas in a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Driving in the Washington, D.C. area, the Fusion Hybrid achieved an average of 81.5 mpg. The Fusion Hybrid’s spec sheet says the car has a 17-gallon tank. This set the world record for gasoline-powered midsize sedan.

Hypermiling is the act of driving using techniques that maximize fuel economy.

The Fusion Hybrid 1,000-Mile Challenge proves that fuel-efficient driving techniques can nearly double a vehicle’s EPA-rated fuel economy. Granted the team consisted of professionals in the automobile industry, but hypermiling techniques can be learned and practiced by anyone.

As reported back on April 28, 2009 by a Ford press release, drivers trained in mileage-maximizing techniques such as smooth acceleration and coasting to red lights were able to get an extraordinary 1,445.7 miles out of a single tank of gas during a fund-raising effort in Washington, D.C. that concluded today. They did it by averaging 81.5 miles per gallon in an off-the-showroom floor, non-modified 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient midsize car in North America – nearly doubling its U.S. certified mileage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni9oW_cD2Tg

The Fusion Hybrid 1,000-Mile Challenge started at 8:15 a.m. EDT on Saturday, April 25, from Mount Vernon, Va., and ended this morning at 5:37 a.m. on George Washington Parkway in Washington, D.C. After more than 69 continuous hours of driving, the Fusion Hybrid finally depleted its tank and came to a stop with an odometer reading of 1,445.7 miles – setting a world record for gasoline-powered, midsize sedan.

The challenge team, which included NASCAR star Carl Edwards, high mileage trailblazer Wayne Gerdes and several Ford Motor Company engineers, raised more than $8,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) by exceeding the goal of 1,000 miles on a single tank of gas. The Fusion Hybrid’s official estimated range is approximately 700 miles per tank.

“Not only does this demonstrate the Fusion Hybrid’s fuel efficiency, it also shows that driving technique is one of the keys to maximizing its potential,” said Nancy Gioia, director, Ford Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Vehicle Programs. “The fact that we were able raise much needed funds for JDRF while raising the bar on fuel efficient driving performance made the effort doubly worthwhile.”

Maximizing mileage

A team of seven drivers prepared for the challenge by learning a few mileage-maximizing techniques, most of which can be used in any vehicle to improve fuel economy, but are especially useful in the Fusion Hybrid where the driver can take advantage of pure electric energy at speeds below 47 mph.

CleanMPG.com founder Wayne Gerdes, an engineer from Illinois who coined the term “hypermiling” to describe the mileage-maximizing techniques, provided the pointers. They include:

• Slowing down and maintaining even throttle pressure;
• Gradually accelerating and smoothly braking;
• Maintaining a safe distance between vehicles and anticipating traffic conditions;
• Coasting up to red lights and stop signs to avoid fuel waste and brake wear;
• Minimize use of heater and air conditioning to reduce the load on the engine;
• Close windows at high speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag;
• Applying the “Pulse and Glide” technique while maintaining the flow of traffic;
• Minimize excessive engine workload by using the vehicle’s kinetic forward motion to climb hills, and use downhill momentum to build speed; and
• Avoiding bumps and potholes that can reduce momentum

“You become very aware of your driving because you’re constantly looking for opportunities to maximize mileage, and a more aware driver is a safer driver, too,” said Gil Portalatin, Ford hybrid applications manager.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDdP-0qJprE

In addition, it is important for Fusion Hybrid drivers to manage the battery system’s state of charge through the use of regenerative braking and coasting, and balancing the use of the electric motor and gas engine in city driving to avoid wasting fuel.

Fusion Hybrid drivers also can stay more connected to the hybrid driving experience with Ford’s SmartGaugeTM with EcoGuide, a unique instrument cluster that helps coach drivers on how to optimize performance of their hybrid.

The Challenge

The Fusion Hybrid 1,000-Mile Challenge team took turns driving several routes in and around the national capital over the course of approximately three days and nights. The route involved elevation changes, and ranged from the relatively open George Washington Parkway to a 3-mile stretch in the heart of the city that is clogged with roughly 30 traffic signals.

“The Fusion Hybrid works brilliantly,” Gerdes said. “When you don’t need acceleration power while driving around town, the gas engine shuts down seamlessly. There’s not another hybrid drivetrain in the world that does that as effectively. The Fusion engineering team really knocked it out of the park.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wi7ENrJDxG4

Ford NASCAR star Carl Edwards took time away from the high speed world of professional car racing to contribute to the Fusion Hybrid team’s success in D.C.

“It was exciting to be an active part in this challenge. The fact that it will help spread the word about the Fusion Hybrid’s great mileage, and help out a great charity, makes it even more special,” said Edwards, whose ‘99’ team has used fuel-saving techniques to win races. “There’s no question that the Fusion Hybrid will help consumers save fuel when they drive it. Having driven the car, I feel strongly about how great it is – so strong that I’ve purchased one myself.”

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Ford Fusion Hybrid Gets 81.5 MPG and World Record 1445 Miles on Single Gas Tank is a post from: CleanCarTalk

Note to readers: Beware of scams already popping up to take advantage of the CARS of “cash for clunkers” program. Never give out personal information on a website, especially your social security number. Your only trusted source should be www.cars.gov.

Ray LaHood, Secretary of Transportation, discusses the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS,) or “Cash for Clunkers” program. According to the Secretary LaHood, it’s all about moving cars out of the showrooms, and the net result will be to help stimulate jobs in the U.S. – “One billion dollars will buy 250,000 cars.”

Obviously there’s no perfect program, and I think the Secretary could have addressed some key questions and concerns about the effectiveness versus the cost of the CARS, but he avoided doing so.

CNN interviews Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. Video clip courtesy CNN, 07-27-09.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWTfoXHjqiQ

Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood on the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS,) or “Cash for Clunkers” Program is a post from: CleanCarTalk

Note to readers: Beware of scams already popping up to take advantage of the CARS of “cash for clunkers” program. Never give out personal information on a website, especially your social security number. Your only trusted source should be www.cars.gov.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released the final eligibility requirements for the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS).

This final rule sets forth requirements and procedures for the voluntary vehicle trade-in and purchase/lease program under the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act of 2009. This program helps consumers pay for a new, more fuel efficient car or truck from a participating dealer when they trade in a less fuel efficient car or truck. The rule establishes a process by which dealers can register in order to participate in the program and establishes the criteria this agency will use to determine which disposal facilities are eligible to receive and either crush or shred the trade-in vehicles. It also sets forth the criteria that trade-in vehicles and new vehicles must meet in order for purchases and leases to qualify for assistance under this program and establishes the requirements that must be met by consumers, dealers, disposal facilities and others. Finally, the rule sets forth enforcement procedures and provisions for punishing fraud and other violations of the program requirements.

View the full CARS final rule document in pdf.
To find dealers in your area, use the CARS Dealer locator.

Cash for Clunkers program explained. Video clip courtesy CNN, 07-27-09.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrIQp4JR4nY

NHTSA, DOT Publish the Final Rule for Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) or Cash For Clunkers is a post from: CleanCarTalk

Note to readers: Beware of scams already popping up to take advantage of the CARS of “cash for clunkers” program. Never give out personal information on a website, especially your social security number. Your only trusted source should be www.cars.gov.

Updated 07-28-09. The Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS,) or “Cash For Clunkers” program as some in the press like to call it, is the federal program that helps consumers purchase a new, more efficient vehicle when an older, less efficient vehicle is traded in. All transactions made on or after July 1, 2009 are eligible under the CARS program, and many dealers have already registered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to offer these credits directly to consumers.

The credit received by consumers will not be treated as reportable income for tax purposes. In other words, it is tax-free. Dealers, on the other hand, will have to report it as an income.

The Facts

Here’s a quick run-down of important things about the CARS program you should know, from the government’s official website www.cars.gov:

• Your vehicle must be less than 25 years old on the trade-in date
• Only purchase or lease of new vehicles qualify
• Generally, trade-in vehicles must get 18 or less miles per gallon or mpg (some very large pick-up trucks and cargo vans have different requirements)
• Trade-in vehicles must be registered and insured continuously for the full year preceding the trade-in
• You don’t need a voucher, dealers will apply a credit at purchase
• Program runs through Nov 1, 2009 or when the funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.
• The program requires the disposal of your eligible trade-in vehicle and that the dealer disclose to you an estimate of the scrap value of your trade-in. The scrap value, however minimal, will be in addition to the rebate, and not in place of the rebate.

Here are some specific requirements of the CARS program:

• Your trade-in vehicle must
  • have been manufactured less than 25 years before the date you trade it in
  • have a “new” combined city/highway fuel economy of 18 miles per gallon or less. Use this site http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm to find your car’s combined city/highway fuel economy. It’s the red mpg number under the red banner “Estimated New EPA MPG” in the graphic below. UPDATED 07-28-09: You now need to find your eligibility here: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/CarsSearchIntro.shtml
  • be in drivable condition
  • be continuously insured and registered to the same owner for the full year preceding the trade-in
  • The trade-in vehicle must have been manufactured not earlier than 25 years before the date of trade in and, in the case of a category 3 vehicle, must also have been manufactured not later than model year 2001
  • Work trucks and cargo vans have different requirements
• Consumers can either buy or lease a new car, as long as the lease period is at least for 5 years. Used cars are eligible.
• Both domestic and foreign made cars are eligible.
• The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the new car cannot exceed $45,000.
• New passenger cars to be purchased must have combined fuel economy of 22 mpg; Category 1 or class 1 trucks (up to 6,000 lbs GVWR, Gross Vehicle Weight Rating,) 18 mpg; Category 2 trucks (6,001 to 10,000 lbs,) 15 mpg; and Category 3 trucks (10,001 to 14,000 lbs), no specific minimum mpg requirements but other restrictions apply.
• The law requires your trade-in vehicle to be scraped (destroyed.)

The Upsides

So what are the amounts of the credit and how are they determined. Purchasers of new qualified cars are eligible to receive either $3,500 or $4,500 credit.

• $3,500 credit. Consumers receive this amount if the new car’s combined mpg is at least 4, but less than 10 mpg, higher than the old car’s.
• $4,500 credit. Consumers receive this amount if the new car’s combined mpg is at least 10 mpg higher than the old car’s.

I’m sure many consumers will jump on this deal because these are some very attractive discounts on top of any other discounts, incentives and special offers made available by dealers and manufacturers. Expect dealer showrooms to have increased traffic between now and November 1. Also expect to see fewer polluting cars on the roads.

The Downsides

So is there a downside to this law? I can think of at least a couple.

One, low income people won’t be benefitting from the Cash for Clunkers program because they can’t afford a new car anyway. Not surprisingly, they are the largest population driving clunkers.

Two, the charity industry (which is very active in the older car sales and auction trade) will probably lose out because traded in cars (all of which are still operational by law) will all head for the scrap yards. As environmentally undesirable as they are, some poor families can still use them to maintain their livelihood. So again the poor lose out.

For  the latest information on the CARS program, follow this link to view helpful Q&As for consumers.

By the way the smart fortwo also qualifies for this “cash for clunkers” program.

Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) or Cash For Clunkers Program Kicking Into Gear is a post from: CleanCarTalk

What do hybrid cars and electric cars have in common beside rubber tires, steering wheels and small, cute looks? Their energy storage systems, or batteries, of course.

However you look at it, hybrid and electric cars cannot succeed without advanced batteries or electric energy storage systems. It’s the single most important element that allows them to achieve higher miles per gallon (mpg) than conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) powered cars.

Recently there’s no shortage of buzz in hybrid and electric cars due to high and fluctuating gas prices and the general state of the automobile industry. When an international auto show rolls around (like the recent Detroit and Los Angeles international auto shows), the buzz is especially loud as companies are positioning themselves for a better buzz then the next guy. It seems every car manufacturer has a concept car in development that requires advanced battery technology.

But where are they getting their batteries from? It’s not quite clear at best. Big players already in the game include BYD Motors, Panasonic Corp (which supplies the Prius’ hybrid batteries) and Sanyo Electric Co Ltd. They are wisely positioning themselves in top positions in this rapidly developing industry and will most likely come out ahead as the industry matures. In the mean time, Intel is weighing its options. The company has been urged by a former chairman to manufacture advanced technology batteries for hybrid electric cars. Intel already has investments in battery-related companies, but it would be a fundamental step if the chip maker shifted into the electric car business. But Intel executives have indicated they won’t commit to anything at this time, meaning it’s unlikely.

Advanced batteries technology development and manufacturing are all risky bets. According to Ford executive chairman William C. Ford Jr., “There are no guarantees that consumers — for all their stated concerns about global warming, dependence on foreign oil and unpredictable gas prices — will buy enough of them.” He explained, “They may balk, for example, at the limits on how far they can drive on a single charge.”

Some help may come from commitment from President-elect Barack Obama. He has said he is committed to promoting cleaner cars, and may propose incentives to encourage consumers and businesses to buy them. What we need is batteries with more storage capacity, quicker charging time, lower cost, higher reliability and durability. For now, the advanced car batteries industry is wide open.

What’s your opinion on the current state of advanced batteries for hybrid and electric cars? Who may come out ahead of the competition and why? What about Lithium-Ion? How much longer do we have to wait? Share your views and opinions.

Advanced Car Batteries Industry Still Wide Open? is a post from: CleanCarTalk

There are many ways to help solve the current high prices at the gas pumps, improve passenger car miles per gallon (mpg), and curve global warming trends. Just look at your favorite news outlets and you’ll find debates and ideas abound on how to solve this problem. One of them includes implementing sin taxes.

Sin taxes to help the development of hybrid cars, electric cars, plug-in cars and clean diesel cars? Let take a look.

Sin taxes refer to new types of “creative” taxes borne out of cash-strapped states and cities that governors, legislatures and mayors are proposing. Think plastic bag tax, obesity tax (soft drink), junk food tax and gas guzzler tax. Expanding a step further on the gas guzzler tax, what if we give it a more positive twist. Something like “green tax”?

But seriously, whatever we call it, we’ll all have to recognize the importance behind a “green tax “and think about it carefully before dismissing it as just another tax. We all have a choice in what we choose to drive. The key thing here is the reason behind our choices. Other than people who need certain types of vehicles to make a living, many of us have a simple need in a vehicle: to get us to and from work reliably every day and the occasional pleasure trips. The problem is we, collectively as a nation/group/people, have our behaviors to blame for not making good and educated choices.

Education and behavioral change will help get us out of the oil dependency and global warming bind. Instead of leaving it up to the mass to continue and make bad choices, we’ll need help with our education and behaviors to begin heading in the right direction. Just like many other laws already in force and doing good, a “green tax” can help us achieve good things. Whatever we decide to do, consumer behaviors must be at the top of the list of things to change.

This is because there is no reason for the mass to buy hybrid cars, electric cars, plug-in cars or even clean diesel cars. This is especially true when gas prices are below $3-4 per gallon. The “green tax”, if done right, can help stabilize gas prices, and together with other tax incentives, will be strong reasons to buy cleaner cars.

So no one likes taxes. But with the oil dependency and global warming crises, shifting people’s behaviors will be essential. Sin taxes, and more specifically “green taxes”, are one way for us to make progress. And when the consumers make good, sensible choices, car manufacturers will have to meet such demands. This means better, cleaner cars.

Would you support a “green tax”, knowing you’ll help developing cleaner cars and lowering global warming risks in the long run? Is this a worthy investment? Please share your thoughts and opinions.

Sin Taxes: Cleaner Cars, Improved MPG and Lower Global Warming Risk? is a post from: CleanCarTalk

Updated 06-08-09. Diesel cars have always been able to get high mpg, or miles per gallon. With a combination of new technologies and regulations comes a new breed of clean diesel cars. This Diesel Cars Compendium aims to track diesel cars that are clean and efficient, achieving at least 30 mpg in any driving condition. For now the list will only list cars available beginning in early 2009 and beyond. The compendium will be updated regularly as new information becomes available. For suggestion or correction please use the contact form following the table.

Click on a column heading to sort.

Please use the form on our Contact page to send your suggestion or correction regarding the information in Diesel Cars Compendium.

Clean Diesel Cars Compendium is a post from: CleanCarTalk

Advices abound about how you can improve your car’s mileage or miles per gallon (MPG) by using the cruise control. Essentially by using your car’s cruise control, you are telling the car to travel at a constant speed regardless of road conditions. It’s a very nice feature originally offered to allow driving on long trips without getting fatigued.

Here are a few ideas and advices from eZinearticles.com , ecomodder.com and Daily Fuel Economy Tip. There are countless others if you google for them.

By definition, cruise control keeps your car at a constant speed. Manufacturers build some “smart” into the system by allowing cruise control activation only above a certain speeds, typically around 25-30 miles per hour (mph) for most cars. This means you can’t use cruise control in relatively low speed stop and start driving, or in other words, most city driving. The system is not designed for such driving environment.

In city driving where sometime you can get up to 40 mph, I find it’s more of a hassle to put on cruise control than it’s worth. This is because, more than likely, you wouldn’t be able to drive at that speed for too long before having to slow down again. So for most city or stop-and-go driving, cruise control does not do anything for you in terms of fuel economy.

Cruise control really shines when it comes to long trips. That’s what cruise control was originally built for anyway. In more environmentally conscious times like now, this little invention can also save you real dollars. If you do it right, that is.

On my many long drives between San Diego and Los Angeles, a very hilly drive along the California coast, the best mileage I get has been with my foot regulating the speed, no cruise control. I regularly achieve around 29 mpg in “manual” (foot) mode, while could only squeeze around 25 mpg with the cruise control on most of the trip. On the other hand, for the relatively flatter drive from Southern California to Las Vegas, for example, cruise control can really show its benefits. For the typical driver I think it will boil down to a combination of 3 things: convenience (long drive with less work on the pedal), fuel economy (get the best mpg with or without cruise control), and habits (subconscious actions without special awareness). No matter what camp you are from, here’s the reality.

On a given long-distance drive you can encounter a combination of flat, hilly and stop-and-go driving conditions. If you want to arrive with great feelings and no foot/leg fatigue, then go cruise control the whole way, except of course during very steep hills and in heavy traffic. If you’re more about getting there with the least fuel consumed, then set cruise control for long stretches of flat highway but take more active role to regulate speeds during hilly portions and stop-and-go traffic. Finally if you don’t care, then of course do what you want and just enjoy the trip.

There you have it. It’s really up to each of us to do the right thing, for us and for the environment. Take your pick.

Use Cruise Control to Increase MPG? It Really Depends on Your Personality is a post from: CleanCarTalk

Ways to Maximize MPG from Your Car is a post from: CleanCarTalk