WASHINGTON -- At 9:08 a.m. on April 27, 2009, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid team hit the 1,000-mile mark on a single tank of gas, and is continuing its ultimate fuel-efficiency challenge with nearly one-third of a tank of fuel remaining.
The 1,000-mile mark was achieved with the Fusion Hybrid 1,000-Mile Challenge team leader and NASCAR driver, Carl Edwards, behind the wheel. Other team members include world-record breaking hypermiler Wayne Gerdes and several Ford hybrid engineers.
The 1,000-Mile Challenge started at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, from Mount Vernon, Va., and is expected to end on Tuesday, April 28 in Washington, D.C.
A regular production version of the Fusion Hybrid – the most fuel efficient mid-sized sedan in America – delivered over 80 miles per gallon over the course of 47 hours of continuous driving. The team will continue to drive until the fuel tank is depleted.
The vehicle is being put to the test to demonstrate Ford’s commitment to be the best, or amongst the best, in fuel economy in every vehicle segment in which it competes and to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in the process.
As part of the event, the team is conducting clinics for media and customers in the Fusion Hybrid, providing interviews and vehicle demonstrations on how simple techniques can make a significant difference to real world fuel economy numbers. The team also is uploading regular images and video of the challenge to YouTube, Flickr, Facebook, Twitter, and www.media.ford.com.
Mileage-maximizing techniques that the Ford team used and recommend to consumers include:
- Slowing down and maintaining even throttle pressure;
- Gradually accelerating and smoothly braking;
- Maintaining a safe distance between vehicles and anticipating traffic conditions;
- Coasting up to red lights and stop signs to avoid fuel waste and brake wear;
- Minimize use of heater and air conditioning to reduce the load on the engine;
- Close windows at high speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag;
- Applying the “Pulse and Glide” technique while maintaining the flow of traffic;
- Minimize excessive engine workload by using the vehicle’s kinetic forward motion to climb hills, and use downhill momentum to build speed; and
- Avoiding bumps and potholes that can reduce momentum
UPDATE:
The team finally ran out of fuel a little before 4am on April 28, 2008, driving a total of 1,445.7 miles for an average fuel economy of 81.5 mpg.
05-May-2009
66698
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Hey FORD put the same hybrid system and battery capacity with a plug in the FOCUS and we could get 100+ mpg. The US workers would do a great job of making it and have great pride in what they are doing. You can also have a plant in Mexico for the drivers to buy there.
Let's reduce car size and weight and increase the battery systems. Both will give US more for less. This is a big problem and we need smart solutions. The USA can lead the way.
Posted by: Jim Stack
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05-May-2009
66699
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This is just the latest endurance run from Wayne Gerdes. In 2005 he and four others drove a stock Prius 1397 miles on 12.8 gallons for 109.3 mpg (2.15 l/100km).
http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-main-forum/10132-prius-marathon-run.html
Then in 2006 he and five others took a stock Insight (original version) 2,254 miles on 13.7 gallons for 164.3 mpg (1.43 l/100km)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2783
(81.5 mpg = 2.9 l/100km)
But I've always told people who questioned why I bought a Japanese-built car (the Prius), is that I've been waiting for a 40mpg+ car for a long time, and until an American company would make one, my choices were only Japanese. Now I have an American option and my next car purchase will definitely consider it. Bravo to Ford. (John B - don't be too hard on Ford, Toyota has a car model generation lead on them, but they're on the right track now).
Posted by: Rob N
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05-May-2009
66702
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As an old Ford racer, I follow Carl's career on the race tracks. I'm about to buy a Fusion Hybrid. Am I interested, you betcha!! Also, just before I retired, I almost got hired by Tesla Motors twice (my contacts kept getting laid off). I used to build electrical control panels for manufacturing machines. I saw the evolution of DC motors and their controls to three phase AC motors and digital drives.
Tesla is using three phase AC motors and proprietary drives. I see this as the way to go.
As soon as possible I'll convert my hybrid to plug-in. Until there is a sufficient grid for plug-ins, the PHEV is the way to go. Let the fringe and early adopters, like me, play with the electric only vehicles ( I say vehicles, not just cars). They are today's hot rodders. I'm from another era, but I get it. I'm conjuring up an electric cruiser type trike for my wife and I in retirement in Florida.
I would like to see Ford build some practical electric vehicles:
1. A Mustang Hybrid with performance in mind. Tesla proved they can scoot.
2. A Taurus Hybrid that is state of the art under the hood but extremely uncomplicated to operate, loaded with automatic everything.
3. An F150 all electric plug-in work only truck. This vehicle would leave the shop in the morning and be plugged in by 6pm. Optional 480/240 volt plug-in for conforming construction sites.
4. An F150-look Hybrid 3/8 ton P/U. Not everyone needs full 1/2 ton capabilities. This truck must start out 1000 lbs lighter than the standard F150 before the ICE drive train (mine is a pig at 5400 lbs). It also needs IRS.
5. A Next Gen. Electric Vehicle. Built from the ground up as an electric only. Batteries down low, near or in the frame. 480/240 volt quick charging capabilities. Maybe two motors for front, rear and/or AWD. Semi concealed solar panels. Focus size with multiple body types.
Batteries....It's the BATTERIES stupid. Ford should get with who ever is left (GM/CHRYSLER) and form a consortium (government backed--you know, man on the moon concept) to develope batteries in THIS country before we become dependent on someone else again!!!!
That's my 37 cents.
BTW, Ford I'm available for consulting. I don't want all these dreams to go to waste.
Patrick Collins
Silicon Valley
Posted by: Patrick Collins
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06-May-2009
66703
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"UPDATE:
The team finally ran out of fuel a little before 4am on April 28, 2008, driving a total of 1,445.7 miles for an average fuel economy of 81.5 mpg."
Say what? Some quick math indicates that starting in April 2009 and ending in April 2008, the tank should be full not empty!!!
Posted by: Patrick Collins
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30-Apr-2009
66656
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Excellent move by Ford! It's about time.
Now how about getting serious about a vehicle that makes fuel economy the TOP priority? Specifically, how about a decent-sized sedan that matches the 2010 Prius' 50 mpg rating? And get moving on rolling out plug-in hybrids ASAP.
41 mpg is a big improvement over what most people are driving, but it won't clean our air and water enough. It won't sufficiently reduce the flow of profits to hostile, dangerous regimes that export oil: the wahabis in Saudi Arabia, the communist dictatorship in Venezuela, fascist Russia, Iran, Egypt, etc.
Our other complaint about the Fusion hybrid; it's assembled in Mexico. It's high time that Ford showed some loyalty to America and American workers. Make the Fusion hybrid in the USA and bump it to 50 mpg and we'll buy at least one.
Posted by: John Brendel
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30-Apr-2009
66665
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First, congratulations to Ford. Second in response to John Brendel's comments about the Fusion hybrid being made in Mexico. If you would broaden your horizion to the fact that it is made in North America then you might see that a prosperous Mexico and Canada would be a great thing for the USA. Consider that American auto workers continually have asked for more and more and more until their companies are no longer competitive. You are on the right track to think about buying locally but you can not ignore that we are in a global economy. That's why the American workers have to give back their excesses until they are in line with the rest of the world or at least North America.
Posted by: Dan Small
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