A Stock Toyota Prius Just Drove Across America Averaging 93 MPG, Setting A Guinness World Record [View all]

TheAutopian.com | Thomas Hundal | September 12, 2024

Hypermilers are a different breed. Like racing drivers, they view elevation changes, acceleration and braking zones with millimetric precision, but instead of clipping apexes and shaving off milliseconds, they’re all about boosting cruising range and dropping fuel consumption. Case in point: One hypermiler just set a new coast-to-coast MPG Guinness World Record from behind the wheel of a current Toyota Prius, clocking an average fuel consumption of 93.158 mpg.

So, who gets 93.158 mpg out of a stock fifth-generation Toyota Prius, and how does one possibly maintain that average across an entire continent? That would be Wayne Gerdes, the man who invented the term “hypermiling” back in 2004. (OP: BS. The term existed back in the late 1980's when my own Acura Integra consistently got >~39MPG when hypermiling). His steed of choice was a new Prius with 10,000 miles on the clock, and it was the LE trim which meant it got the low rolling resistance 17-inch wheels, a big deal for efficiency over the larger rollers on the XLE.

Gerdes kicked things off in Los Angeles with a drive to Lakewood, Calif., then from Lakewood to Flagstaff, Ariz. From there, Gerdes went by way of Fort Sumner, N.M., to Amarillo, Texas, where he finally had to stop for fuel. By this point, Gerdes had managed a cumulative 106.334 mpg, but a leg to Russell, Ark. slashed that figure to 98.023 mpg.

Fuel economy further fell on the leg to Knoxville, Tenn. with a cumulative average of 94.010 mpg, but the trip from Knoxville up to Winston-Salem, N.C., reverse course with a cumulative average of 94.993 mpg. Even with the last leg up to New York City Hall followed by a fuel stop in New Jersey, the record was as good as achieved with a total trip average of 93.158 mpg across 3,211.7 miles of America. As for further specifics of methodology, well, here’s what Gerdes said in a statement:..more
https://www.theautopian.com/a-prius-just-drove-across-america-averaging-93-158-mpg-setting-a-guinness-world-record/

Toyota's 1- 6 - 90 Rule (clueless people ridicule them for not going all in on risky fire-prone Li-Ion batteries)



Toyota has done more for reduction of Auto GHG than any other car company in the world. But there's no more respect for anyone or anything left. Enjoy the new world.