Go Hypermiling Podcast

Type: Audio
Hosts: Kacey Green, Manuel Santos and Wayne Gerdes
Recorded: October 4, 2009
Music: Thievery Corporation - DC 3000
Runtime: 36 min : 0 sec
Moderating: Kacey Green
Technique: Basic Setup
Main Topics: The Deadly Silence of the Electric Car, 2010 Prius III Prices on the Rise, Jack Rickard Leads the Quest for the Ultimate BEV
Sponsors: CleanMPG, Hybrid Canada, & Midlands Hybrid | Enginer PHEV Systems, Sunshine Toyota in Winnipeg, Palmetto Horse and Hound

First for our technique segment, Wayne teaches us about basic setup of our vehicles.

Next, Kacey has a surprise for us in the form of the pre-production CR-Z Concept car. We note the 6MT (6 speed Manual Transmission). We discussed engine sizes and fuel economy potential for the final version of the car. Kacey drops the thought provoking nugget that perhaps this car may have a dual clutched sequential transmission.

Kacey then brings us the news that folks are again trying to “bell the hybrids”; busybodies are again targeting hybrid cars and their owners with the misguided notion that the vehicles are too quiet and they absolutely have to stick their hooks into these cars and trucks. 

Manuel tells us about Jack Rickard and his pursuit of building the world’s best battery electric vehicle.

Finally Wayne tells us what’s happening in the world of the Prius 3G. Toyota has finally released details on the Prius I and pricing. I describe their efforts as trying to create an Insight competitor pricewise and failing miserably giving us a fat stripped down car that the typical Prius owner isn’t interested in. We discuss what this car means for fleets, and tinkerers, as well as try and decide if real people will be able to get their hands on this mythical unicorn. 

Please feel free to post a comment or to leave an audio comment using the button on the sidebar of this site.

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

#16 Silence is Golden - Go Hypermiling!

Go Hypermiling PodcastType: Audio
Hosts: Kacey Green, Manuel Santos, Wayne Gerdes
Recorded: August 23, 2009 Music: DJ Dolores - Oslodum 2004
Runtime: 31 min : 16 sec
Moderating: Kacey Green
Technique: DWL or Driving With Load 
Main Topics: “Enginer” plug in hybrid kits coming to the market, Hacked Hybrid Gets Nearly 100 Miles Per Gallon, Tiny Five-Stroke Engine Promises Big Fuel Economy.
Sponsors: CleanMPG, Hybrid Canada, & Midlands Hybrid | BMW F 800 GS Motorcycle, Midlands Honda

Kacey, Manuel, and Wayne discuss these fuel sipping/saving products/inventions.

First up, discuss the technique of DWL (Driving With Load), pretend your car is a roller coaster when on hills, then, Manuel tells us about the Enginer plug-in hybrid conversion kits, an economical PHEV conversion kit that appears to be compatible with all existing hybrids.

As a surprise topic we discuss Honda’s announcement of a compact BEV (battery electric vehicle) by 2015 and possible reasons they say this car will take so long to arrive.

I introduce a new 5-stroke engine, that says with just 3 cylinders and a five-stroke operating cycle it can provide both big fuel economy numbers and high power output.

We finish up discussing the efforts of a university to increase the already stellar MPGs of the first generation insight with a 3-cylinder diesel engine replacing the original 3 cylinder gasser.

Please feel free to post a comment or to leave an audio comment using the button on the sidebar of this site.

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

#10: The Modded Hybrids re coming! – Go Hypermiling!

Go Hypermiling PodcastType: Audio
Hosts: Kacey Green, Manuel Santos, Wayne Gerdes
Recorded: August 2, 2009 Music: Dan The Automator - Relaxation Spa Treatment
Runtime: 40 min : 23 sec
Moderating: Kacey Green
Technique:Reverse Passing
Main Topics: (Surprise Topic: Nissan first to unveil affordable BEV to the masses!), Where does the road lead for green diesels?, Pelosi working to get Cash for Clunkers back on its feet., Drunk Driving eliminated in our lifetime?
Sponsors: CleanMPG, Hybrid Canada, & Midlands Hybrid | Aerostich Riding Gear, Birchwood Honda West

Kacey, Manuel, and Wayne discuss several great topics.

First, We discuss the technique of Reverse Passing, then, Wayne surprised us with news about the Nissan LEAF, a BEV (battery electric vehicle). We later discuss, “Where does the road lead for green diesels?”, what does the future look like ahead for clean diesels in North America.

“Pelosi working to get Cash for Clunkers back on its feet.”, Cash for clunkers ran out of money really quickly…Next up, “Drunk Driving eliminated in our lifetime?”, we have had a lively discussion on this topic in several places, there is a new device that can act as an ignition interlock device for inebriated drivers based on skin reflectivity.

Update: In our First show Manuel touched base on the 2010 Prius’ Emissions Rating and today he has an update for us.

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

#7: M.A.D.D. – Go Hypermiling!

Go Hypermiling PodcastType: Video
Hosts: Kacey Green, Manuel Santos, Mike Sefton, Mike Sirach, Tim Smith, Wayne Gerdes
Moderating: none
Technique: none
Main Topics:Contest, Video Walkthrough summary of the event, Ford Focus BEV First Drive!, VW Commercial Parody
Sponsors: CleanMPG, Hybrid Canada, & Midlands Hybrid

In our fourth and final video podcast in our special coverage of HybridFest 2009 Kacey Green and Wayne Gerdes    , lead us into the show.

We first announce the prizes to our first contest (we still do not know the rules, keep an eye open here at the site (gohypermiling.com) we will make a post when we start the competition.

Next Manuel has prepared a nice video walkthrough summary of all the booths at HybridFest 2009.

We somehow managed to get the keys to the Ford focus BEV and we take the car around the block to its transport, sort of an unboxing/first impression video, for a car!

Then I rant about the road race known as the HybridFest MPG Challenge before Wayne talks me down a bit and we offer constructive criticism.

Several CleanMPG members got together at the end of May for various reasons. We recorded this single take of a parody of the VW commercial where they make fun of the Prius and conveniently forget, that CleanMPG stomped their 48 State record after they started talking trash. We would have done a second take but we were out of daylight and had promised to take member, Brick, to Brixx Wood Fired Pizza.

We hope you enjoyed our special video podcast series on HybridFest 2009, we now return you to your semi-regularly scheduled Go Hypermiling podcast, and remember, “You’ve just Gone Hypermiling, with CleanMPG, Ford, Hybrid Canada and Midlands Hybrid.” 

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

#5: HybridFest 2009 Coverage Finale - Go Hypermiling