Hypermilers complete new Guinness verified World Record at 68.54mpg (US)!

Discussion in 'Articles' started by Right Lane Cruiser, Dec 4, 2008.

  1. Right Lane Cruiser

    Right Lane Cruiser Penguin of Notagascar

    An amazing road trip through adverse conditions nabs a World Record!

    [xfloat=right]http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/611/2009_HCH-II.jpg[/xfloat]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:

    [​IMG]


    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

    [​IMG]

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    The Sponsors: Honda and ScanGauge

    [​IMG]


    The Vehicle: 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid

    [​IMG]


    The Driving

    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!!!
     
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2008
  2. laurieaw

    laurieaw Sorceress of the North

    Re: Hypermilers complete new Guiness verified World Record at 68.54mpg (US)!

    this is just so awesome. is there any way to get this on some national news feeds?:Banane10:
     
  3. Right Lane Cruiser

    Right Lane Cruiser Penguin of Notagascar

  4. jhu

    jhu Well-Known Member

    Re: Hypermilers complete new Guiness verified World Record at 68.54mpg (US)!

    Wow, in poor weather with a petrol engine car too! The prior record was with a diesel car. Shouldn't that be taken into account?
     
  5. PVaultGuy

    PVaultGuy Member

    Re: Hypermilers complete new Guiness verified World Record at 68.54mpg (US)!

    Great job, all!
     
  6. JusBringIt

    JusBringIt Be Inspired

    Re: Hypermilers complete new Guiness verified World Record at 68.54mpg (US)!

    What a Smashing run guys!! Awesome job!
     
  7. Chuck

    Chuck just the messenger

    Re: Hypermilers complete new Guiness verified World Record at 68.54mpg (US)!

    Yes.

    I wonder what Guiness' reasoning is that the car must be brand new?

    If this had been Justin's Insight, conservatively they would have broke 90mpg and consumed less than 100 gallons! The downside is the Insight is a two seater.
     
  8. mparrish

    mparrish Rosie the Riveter Redux

  9. PaleMelanesian

    PaleMelanesian Beat the System Staff Member

    Re: Hypermilers complete new Guiness verified World Record at 68.54mpg (US)!

    VW Jetta 2.0 TDI: 34/41 mpg epa estimate. 58.8 is 57% above combined, and 43% above highway.

    Honda Civic Hybrid: 40/45 mpg epa estimate. 68.5 is 61% above combined, and 52% above highway.

    Beat the old record in % above epa, as well! Great work!
     
  10. WriConsult

    WriConsult Super Moderator

    Re: Hypermilers complete new Guiness verified World Record at 68.54mpg (US)!

    Awesome, awesome accomplishment guys. Simply fantastic.
     
  11. Earthling

    Earthling Trying to be kind to Mother Earth

    The world record holders should seriously consider coming out with a book of hypermiling techniques.

    Why not?

    Harry
     
  12. SlowHands

    SlowHands Hypermiling Ironman

    Wonderful work by these three! I am absolutely proud of them and their World Record!!
     
  13. Chuck

    Chuck just the messenger

    I've been lobbying for this....maybe the best way to get it done is to threaten to write one myself. :D
     
  14. psyshack

    psyshack He who posts articles

    Congrats! The best is now in the west.
     
  15. jstol3

    jstol3 Well-Known Member

    Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious!
     
  16. MaxxMPG

    MaxxMPG Hasta Lavista AAA-Vee Von't Be Bach

    A very inspiring accomplishment. I'm sure that when gas prices go back to their Summer'08 levels, the media will suddenly discover this feat and start (all over again) with the interviews and news segments.
     
  17. hansonclan

    hansonclan Member

    Well done!
     
  18. pdk

    pdk Beacon of Sanity

    Nice, very nice!
     
  19. seftonm

    seftonm Veteran Staff Member

    Congratulations to all! Very well done.
     
  20. Damionk

    Damionk DWL Lover

    Way to go guys!!!!


    I wonder if the Taylors are aware of this yet.
     

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