An amazing road trip through adverse conditions nabs a World Record!
Sean Welch -
CleanMPG - Dec. 04, 2008
November 22nd, 2008 marked the beginning of a historic effort by three highly regarded Hypermilers to break a World Record established just two months prior. Completed September 25th, this record was achieved by Australians John and Helen Taylor in a 2009 VW Jetta 2.0L TDI sponsored by Volkswagen, Shell, and Navman. The Guinness verified record of 58.82mpg (US) set a new standard of efficiency in real world (official) mileage while traversing the country. Could our team of intrepid drivers overtake this lofty number in spite of unpredictable winter conditions?
Not only did they overtake the target mileage, they exceeded it by 11.5% to establish the new record at
68.54mpg (US) in a 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid carrying three people and their luggage through all 48 contiguous states!
A complete list of tank results leading to this astonishing achievement through rain, wind, ice, and snow can be viewed by clicking the graphic below:
The drivers
Jennie was recently featured in the
Austin to Houston FE_Challenge and both the
Hypermiling_– Jennie Chen vs. Houston’s KPRC’s Amy Davis News and
Local 2 Investigates Extreme Drivers: Amy Davis Reports.
Justin Fons is the co-founder of the Milwaukee Hybrid Group, the largest Hybrid Group in the country. He is an old hand at Group meets!
Justin’s real claim to fame came about as one of the drivers at the
Insight Marathon Attempt and the
World Fuel Economy Championships this past summer
Wayne Gerdes is Owner, Founder, and Administrator of
CleanMPG and famous both for establishing the term "
Hypermiling" and for setting numerous fuel economy records, recently featured on
CNN and known to many as
"King of Hypermilers."
The 48-Contiguous State Fuel Economy World Record Route
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48-Contiguous State FE World Record Route Map
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Wayne, Justin, and Jennie set out for records all the way around. They made the trip in just 7559.8mi, driving at least 15mi in each of the 48 contiguous states on their way to this record. The average distance per tank traveled was an even 840mi and the team used just 9 tanks to complete the journey. Scaling peaks over 7000' above sea level and driving through the worst winter could throw at them, they followed a rigorous documentation regime capturing pictures of every state line crossing and full gas station attendant verification of fueling stops, amounts, and sealing of the fuel tank. Friends offered lodging and sustenance, a Honda dealership hosted a fuel economy meet and greet complete with presentations by Wayne and driving tips/training provided by all three drivers in South Carolina. Regular updates, pictures, and tracking data were provided by Jennie through her iPhone and each team member turned out astonishing segments in the very capable Honda -- many of them substantially higher than the typical driver produces in the best of driving conditions.
A complete account of this effort and its results an be accessed via a collection of links found
here.
The trio jubilantly concluded their successful venture in Needles, CA at about 4:00AM Central Time and are now enjoying a well deserved rest.
Congratulations Jennie, Justin, and Wayne!!!
Hypermilers complete new Guinness verified World Record at 68.54mpg (US)!
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