Go Hypermiling Podcast

Type: Audio
Hosts: Wayne Gerdes, Kacey Green, and Manuel Santos
Recorded: June 13, 2010
Music: .22 this song is “Peter and Jane” and we will close today with Fall Out Boy’s “Nobody puts baby in the corner” 
Runtime: 41 min : 51 sec
Moderating: Kacey Green
Main Topics: 2011 Hyundai Sonata “Challenge” - One day, 1,000 miles and just one tank of gas…, Fueleconomy.gov’s Most Fuel-Efficient Cars in America: 1984 to 2010, Honda CR-Z Sporty Hybrid
Sponsors: CleanMPG, Hybrid Canada, & Midlands Hybrid | Enginer PHEV kits, Midlands Honda, & CleanMPG Scangauges

Our Technique: “Setting your mirrors for safety, and what that has to do with FE”

How to set your mirrors and what in the world does that have to do with Fuel Economy?

2011 Hyundai Sonata “Challenge” - One day, 1,000 miles and just one tank of gas…

I am sure some have seen the banner Sean uploaded earlier this afternoon and may have been wondering what the heck it’s all about?
Chronicled here is a captivating story just getting started… with the final chapters yet to be written.
The 2011 Sonata – A new day dawns for the everyday family sedan.
Early last December, the newly redesigned 2011 Hyundai Sonata made its press debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. While a mid-sized sedan launch would not normally grab our attention unless it were hybrid or diesel powered, this conventionally powered 2.4L sedan stood out as something out of the ordinary. …

Fueleconomy.gov’s Most Fuel-Efficient Cars in America: 1984 to 2010

Fueleconomy.gov has released two new top ten lists to help consumers purchase a fuel-efficient vehicle. Unlike other top ten lists that are limited to current model year vehicles, these new lists draw from twenty-six years of EPA and real-world fuel economy data, making them useful for consumers considering a new or used gas miser:

1. Fueleconomy.gov’s Top Ten EPA-Rated Fuel Sippers (1984 to present)
2. Fueleconomy.gov’s Top Ten Real-World Fuel Sippers (1984 to present)

The first list shows the most fuel efficient vehicles based on EPA fuel economy ratings, while the second list shows the most fuel efficient vehicles based on fuel economy estimates reported by fueleconomy.gov’s “Your MPG” members-ten members must provide estimates for a vehicle’s real-world MPG to be included in the list, and the list is updated weekly as new data are submitted from members. …

Honda CR-Z Sporty Hybrid

The three major Japanese car makers are taking a distinctly different approach to the imminent arrival of the electric car. Nissan has jumped in with both feet and will launch Leaf, its battery-powered e-car, at the end of the year. Toyota is putting its eggs in the true hybrid basket - its Prius is capable of both battery- and petrol-powered drive. …

 
Go Hypermiling Podcast

Type: Audio
Hosts: Wayne Gerdes, Kacey Green, and Manuel Santos, with Special Guest Jason Holder
Recorded: June 8, 2010
Music: Fall Out Boy this song is “Grand Theft Autumn” and we will close today with 37Hz’s “Calmly Going Nowhere” 
Runtime: 58 min : 40 sec
Moderating: Kacey Green
Main Topics: A Gulf Full Of Oil Can’t Beat A Tank Full Of Gas, Experts: Revise fuel-economy rules to reflect real-world driving, Honda’s near, mid and long term ideas regarding sustainability of its product lineup
Sponsors: CleanMPG, Hybrid Canada, & Midlands Hybrid | Enginer PHEV kits, Midlands Honda, & CleanMPG Scangauges

Our Technique: Weather & Fuel Economy

Jason is very proficient at hypermiling and he gives us pointers for inclement weather. Wayne, Manuel & Kacey jump in.

A Gulf Full Of Oil Can’t Beat A Tank Full Of Gas

A lot of BP’s oil eventually winds up in the gas tanks of American cars, so you’d think the current crisis on the Gulf Coast might make people think twice at the pump. Brian Mann of North Country Public Radio sets out to talk to customers at a gas station and find out what they think about the spill, and the decisions they make as consumers.

It’s mid-morning, and I’m out driving in my truck. On the radio, of course, it’s 24/7 about the Gulf oil spill. Everybody’s talking about it, and everybody’s saying there are no easy answers. …

Experts: Revise fuel-economy rules to reflect real-world driving

An expert panel called on government agencies today to revise fuel-economy testing to better reflect real-world driving conditions.
The National Academy of Sciences convened an expert panel in 2007 to assess technologies to boost fuel economy and make findings on the state of vehicle efficiency at the request of government regulators, releasing a report today.
“Reducing the amount of fuel we use is an important goal for the nation and for the individual consumer,” said Trevor Jones, chair of the committee that wrote the report and chair and CEO of ElectroSonics Medical Inc. in Cleveland. “Consumers will need to consider the trade-offs between higher vehicle prices and saving fuel and money at the gas pump.” …

Honda’s near, mid and long term ideas regarding sustainability of its product lineup

The 2010 FCX Clarity – Once a nationwide H2 refueling infrastructure is in place, this will more than likely be one of the key contenders for sustainability at a price we can all afford.

A “State of Honda” speech was presented by the Executive VP of Honda America, John Mendel at a conference entitled “Moving Ahead 2010” setup to discuss methods to reduce fuel consumption in transportation. The speech detailed Honda’s outlook when it comes to all things related to the future of the automobile and was presented to both business leaders and academics on the campus of Ohio State University.

The following are his remarks.

It’s great to be in Columbus… a real hometown for Honda. Our first U.S. manufacturing operations were established here 30-plus years ago … and we have a major R&D center that creates many of the products we build here. …

 
Go Hypermiling Podcast

Type: Audio
Hosts: Wayne Gerdes, Kacey Green, and Manuel Santos
Recorded: May 30, 2010
Music: SwampdaWamp This song is “Rock This Country” and we will close today with boobootin’s “We Love Radio” 
Runtime: 58 min : 39 sec
Moderating: Kacey Green
Main Topics: Nearly 20 Percent of Drivers May Be ‘Unfit for Roads Says Survey, Woman Sues Google for Bad Directions, NUMMI is now Tesla + Toyota building EVs
Sponsors: CleanMPG, Hybrid Canada, & Midlands Hybrid | Enginer PHEV kits, Midlands Honda, & CleanMPG Scangauges

Our Technique: Hypermiling Motorcycles

Hypermiling on two wheels, how’s it different than a car?  What can I do to get more MPGs on my bike?

Nearly 20 Percent of Drivers May Be ‘Unfit for Roads Says Survey

College and high school students may not be the only ones humbled this time of year by mediocre test results.
Roughly 38 million licensed drivers — nearly one in five — would not pass a written drivers exam if taken today, according to a survey released Thursday morning.

The survey, the National Drivers Test, conducted by GMAC Insurance, polled 5,202 licensed drivers from 50 states and the District of Columbia. Driving knowledge was based on 20 questions taken from exams given by state departments of motor vehicles. Questions addressing distracting driving behavior were also included in the report. …

Woman Sues Google for Bad Directions

One day I was using my cell phone’s GPS service to find the nearest Target. I was driving down the road when suddenly my cell phone piped up, “Turn right here.” I looked to the right. There was no road, just a tree and some grass. I chalked it up to a GPS glitch and turned right at the next corner.

If I had been Lauren Rosenberg, however, I would have turned right at that very moment, hit the tree, suffered some cuts and minor brain damage, and then turned around and sued Verizon for the glitch in its GPS service.

Seriously. …

NUMMI is now Tesla + Toyota building EVs

Tesla Motors and Toyota Motor have announced that Tesla has bought the recently closed Nummi assembly plant in Fremont, California, where it intends to make its Model S luxury electric sedan and other future models.
Also, Toyota said it had agreed to buy $50 million of Tesla common stock upon the completion of its planned initial public offering. …

 
Go Hypermiling Podcast

Type: Audio
Hosts: Wayne Gerdes, Kacey Green and Mike Sirach
Recorded: April 19, 2010
Music: Fenway by Mike Falzone
Runtime: 50 min : 42 sec
Moderating: Kacey Green
Technique: Hills and Mountains
Main Topics: 2011 Prius PHEV-13 Impressions, From SUV to hybrid sedan, US military warns oil output may dip causing massive shortages by 2015
Sponsors: CleanMPG, Hybrid Canada, & Midlands Hybrid | Enginer PHEV kits, Midlands Honda, & CleanMPG Scangauges

 Our Technique covers how to Hypermile up hills and mountains.

We cover both basics and some competition grade techniques. 

2011 Prius PHEV-13 Impressions

“25 brand new, just off the boat Prius PHEV’s destined for the U.S. Fleet trial (previously announced any number of times at CleanMPG) were available for Journalists to drive not only under Plug-in power but in charge sustaining mode as well. And like a child at Christmas, some were more excited to try out the latest wares more than others…

From SUV to hybrid sedan 

“During the Second thousand mile tank is in progress review, we achieved the following which is really what moved Sean and his wife Jillian to consider the Fusion Hybrid.
 
50 mph cruise control  – average: 55 mpg
60 mph cruise control  – average: 52.3 mpg
 
“Is it on?” With these words Jilean began her hybrid journey, preparing to pull out of the dealership on a test drive with me in the passenger seat and our daughter in the back seat. She had driven Jud Engel’s Prius a few times two summers ago so this wasn’t her first time behind the wheel of a hybrid, but this Ford Family Girl wasn’t about to consider a Toyota for her next vehicle!…

US military warns oil output may dip causing massive shortages by 2015 

“The US military has warned that surplus oil production capacity could disappear within two years and there could be serious shortages by 2015 with a significant economic and political impact.
 
The energy crisis outlined in a Joint Operating Environment report from the US Joint Forces Command, comes as the price of petrol in Britain reaches record levels and the cost of crude is predicted to soon top $100 a barrel…

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Kacey Green
Go Hypermiling! 
“Hypermiling in today’s world”