Right Lane Cruiser
05-11-2009, 08:20 AM
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg “Ford was actually one of the first car companies to announce that it would begin to incorporate eco-friendly cars.” (http://earth911.com/blog/2009/05/11/test-spin-with-ford-part-2/)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2010_Ford_Fusion_Hybrid_Challenge_Vehicle_in_front_of_the_Capital_on_Tuesday_Morning.jpgAmanda Wills - Earth 911 (http://earth911.com) - May 11, 2009
Another reporter receives an eye opening experience. ;) --Ed.
I landed in Washington D.C. on April 25, and a Ford rep immediately greeted me at the airport. In the 24-hour time span I would spend with Ford, I would test drive the Fusion Hybrid, meet and interview hypermiler Wayne Gerdes and have dinner with Jay Ward, Ford’s communication director for North America and David Finnegan, hybrid marketing manager.
When we pulled in to the hotel, I caught my first glimpse of the new Fusion. Outfitted in Ford green leaves decal, the sedan looked almost luxurious. It was certainly different than the small, simple car I had expected.
Granted the bells and whistles were aesthetically pleasing, but I had yet to get behind the wheel and really survey this car.
Hypermiling School
Anxious to get started, I quickly changed clothes and met Wayne (along with a camera crew) in the hotel lobby. Up first to drive the car was Donna Childress from WeLoveDC. I sat in the backseat and observed Wayne as he gave her a crash course in hypermiling.
We glided out of the parking lot and down the streets of Alexandria, Va. at 30 mph. Being the anxious lead foot that I am, I was constantly fearful of high speed traffic and flying obscenities from passing drivers.
But then something magical happened: No one seemed annoyed. In fact, people were interested. While the car’s shiny decals screaming about Ford’s attempt to go 1,000 miles on one tank of gas certainly made us stand out, it was something more that that. We were making a statement for the environment and people seemed to be listening.
A Mercedes convertible filled with a family enjoying a Saturday ride pulled up beside us. “One thousand miles but not that fast!” The woman passenger shouted jokingly.
Yeah, it does go fast, but we don’t have to gun it to make it from point A to point B. In fact, Wayne pointed out that although we were going slower than the traffic in order to stay in EV mode and not use gas, we were actually getting to the same points at the same time while saving energy.
So, instead of letting off the brake and gunning the car only to stop 40 feet at the next red light, we were simply coasting to the next stop without using any... http://earth911.com/blog/2009/05/11/test-spin-with-ford-part-2/
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2010_Ford_Fusion_Hybrid_Challenge_Vehicle_in_front_of_the_Capital_on_Tuesday_Morning.jpgAmanda Wills - Earth 911 (http://earth911.com) - May 11, 2009
Another reporter receives an eye opening experience. ;) --Ed.
I landed in Washington D.C. on April 25, and a Ford rep immediately greeted me at the airport. In the 24-hour time span I would spend with Ford, I would test drive the Fusion Hybrid, meet and interview hypermiler Wayne Gerdes and have dinner with Jay Ward, Ford’s communication director for North America and David Finnegan, hybrid marketing manager.
When we pulled in to the hotel, I caught my first glimpse of the new Fusion. Outfitted in Ford green leaves decal, the sedan looked almost luxurious. It was certainly different than the small, simple car I had expected.
Granted the bells and whistles were aesthetically pleasing, but I had yet to get behind the wheel and really survey this car.
Hypermiling School
Anxious to get started, I quickly changed clothes and met Wayne (along with a camera crew) in the hotel lobby. Up first to drive the car was Donna Childress from WeLoveDC. I sat in the backseat and observed Wayne as he gave her a crash course in hypermiling.
We glided out of the parking lot and down the streets of Alexandria, Va. at 30 mph. Being the anxious lead foot that I am, I was constantly fearful of high speed traffic and flying obscenities from passing drivers.
But then something magical happened: No one seemed annoyed. In fact, people were interested. While the car’s shiny decals screaming about Ford’s attempt to go 1,000 miles on one tank of gas certainly made us stand out, it was something more that that. We were making a statement for the environment and people seemed to be listening.
A Mercedes convertible filled with a family enjoying a Saturday ride pulled up beside us. “One thousand miles but not that fast!” The woman passenger shouted jokingly.
Yeah, it does go fast, but we don’t have to gun it to make it from point A to point B. In fact, Wayne pointed out that although we were going slower than the traffic in order to stay in EV mode and not use gas, we were actually getting to the same points at the same time while saving energy.
So, instead of letting off the brake and gunning the car only to stop 40 feet at the next red light, we were simply coasting to the next stop without using any... http://earth911.com/blog/2009/05/11/test-spin-with-ford-part-2/