Hybridfest 2007: CleanMPG members Locutus and DebbieKatz highlighted.

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Hypermilers compete to see who can get best mileage at the Hybridfest Fuel Economy Challenge.

Deborah Ziff - Wisconsin State Journal - July 19, 2007

Hypermiler Jerad Parish leans against his 2005 Toyota Prius hybrid. Parish uses techniques to increase fuel economy, which he tracks on a ScanGauge readout, above, mounted near the car's built-in monitor. The ScanGauge shows he is averaging 76.1 mpg for the trip, while the built-in monitor shows 99.9 mpg at that moment. He'll be competing in Hybridfest's MPG Challenge Friday. Photo by Joe Jackson – WI. State Journal

Jerad Parish is driving a very deliberate 22 miles per hour south on John Nolen Drive where the speed limit is 35. Cars zoom past his black Toyota Prius hybrid on both sides before he switches lanes as he approaches a stoplight.

He's driving slow enough that he doesn't have to brake as he makes a right turn onto Rimrock Road. He keeps the air conditioning off and on this July afternoon, his T-shirt clings to him with perspiration. The car's thermometer reads 86.

But according to a dashboard computer that displays his fuel consumption, Parish is averaging almost 80 miles per gallon for the trip, well above the Environmental Protection Agency's fuel economy rating of 60 mpg for city driving in his 2005 model Prius.

To Parish, the fuel economy is worth the disapproving looks from fellow drivers and a car that has the atmosphere of a sauna.

He is among a small group of hyper-conscious drivers known as hypermilers. The name was coined by Wayne Gerdes, of Wadsworth, Ill., a man legendary for his ability to eke one more mile out of every gallon of fuel. Gerdes defines a hypermiler as someone who drives to maximize fuel economy and can beat the lifetime combined EPA fuel economy rating, a number he says is, "so low, it's disgusting" … [Read More]

[locutus]

You beat me to it. That 22 in a 35 was coming into a turn w/light traffic, and john nolen is a 4-laner, but I guess it had to be made to sound good. Hi, DebbieKatz!

"We're all a little nuts about this" Isn't that the truth

[PaleMelanesian]

That's a good article. Well-rounded, factual, and generally positive.
Congrats to all three of you (Wayne included), and good luck on the challenge.

[BailOut]

That's a nice write-up. Good luck on the MPG challenge!

[Fenrir]

I'm assuming it is the camera that makes your fingers look freakishly long...

[Delta Flyer]

Excellent positive hypermiling article and intro of Jarrad and Debbie!

[mparrish]

Jerad,

I didn't know they sweated in Wisconsin too. . The story is a good one, but the photo is even more kick a@#. "Look at how little gas I use, you ignorant fools."

Go get 'em on the course.

[JimboK]

Good stuff, Jerad, congrats!

[Skwyre7]

Here's a from me:

[Fenrir]

It is a great photo. Just teasing about your fingers.