Automotive

Carl Edwards drives 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid 1445.7 miles on a single tank

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NASCAR Star Carl Edwards at the wheel (Photo: Sam VarnHagen/Ford Motor Co.)
Steve Burke, Wayne Gerdes and Tom Rolewicz breaking the seal on the gas tank after driving an amazing 1445.7 miles on a single tank of gas (Photo: Sam VarnHagen/Ford Motor Co.)
1445.7 miles on a single tank of gas (Photo: Sam VarnHagen/Ford Motor Co.)
Fusion Hybrid Runs 1445.7 Miles on Single Tank (Photo: Sam VarnHagen/Ford Motor Co.)
NASCAR Star Carl Edwards after passing 1,000 miles on a single tank of gas (Photo: Sam VarnHagen/Ford Motor Co.)
NASCAR Star Carl Edwards (Photo: Sam VarnHagen/Ford Motor Co.)
Fusion Hybrid Runs 1445.7 Miles on Single Tank (Photo: Sam VarnHagen/Ford Motor Co.)
Carl Edwards and World Record Breaking Hypermiling champion Wayne Gerdes log the details of their drive(Photo: Sam VarnHagen/Ford Motor Co.)
NASCAR Star Carl Edwards at the wheel (Photo: Sam VarnHagen/Ford Motor Co.)
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April 29, 2009 A team of Ford hybrid engineers, a fuel efficiency expert and a NASCAR star have driven a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid 1445.7 miles (2313.12 km) on a single 17.5 US gallon (66.24 Liter) tank of gasoline using Eco-Driving techniques. That's an average of 81.5 mpg (2.88 l/100 km), not bad from a totally standard production car. The 1,000-Mile Challenge started at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, from Mount Vernon, Va., the car finally ran out of gas and battery power on April 28th at 5:37 am EST in Washington, D.C.

The distance surpassed Ford's target by over 40% in a PR exercise designed to highlight the role of the driver in achieving fuel efficiency as well as to showcase the car (and raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in the process).

The team crossed the 1000 mile mark with NASCAR star Carl Edwards behind the wheel, fresh from his barrel rolling exhibition at Talladega, and the team also included world-record breaking Wayne Gerdes who has turned hypermiling into a sport (the record is 2,254.4 miles – 3,607 km – on a single tank of fuel set in a 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid in 2006).

    Eco-driving tips:
  • 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
  • Paul Evans

    View gallery - 12 images
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    3 comments
    Skeptic
    Nothing has been proven. MPG can only be calculated when an IC engine is powering a vehicle. If the engine is off or you're coasting, then 0 MPG. All you have done is encourage dangerous hyper-milers. This type of demo hinders serious and meaningful research on IC efficiency.
    petris
    I see your point, but this is important too. Obviously car companies are doing their best to maximize internal combustion efficiency, but the current technology is already pushed to its limits. This article is about hybrid technology. Additionally, raising awareness about how to drive efficiently is important too, because even the most efficient car will benefit from efficient driving techniques. I'm just excited that American automakers are finally getting on board with efficiency- 87 mpg!!! Go Ford!
    Mr Stiffy
    It\'s an improvement - but it\'s the same big box, same 4 seats and the same 2000 Kg of vehicle to take 100Kg of passenger.