Chicago - Anticipating the present fuel crisis and troubled by the political and environmental consequences of the US' huge consumption of oil, a group formed three years ago to find ways to increase the fuel efficiency of existing vehicles in the US. The founder, Wayne Gerdes, coined the term "hypermiling": exceeding the EPA's MPG standards. He established CleanMPG as a forum to discuss and improve fuel conservation methods, and to educate others about these methods.

Safety has always trumped fuel economy at CleanMPG. Drafting has been disavowed on safety grounds alone. Rolling through stop signs or red lights has never been presented as a fuel-saving practice. The group repeatedly advises drivers to evaluate for themselves whether a given method is safe for them and their particular vehicle. Drivers are also advised to implement only one new method at a time, and to test each in a safe setting before utilizing it in general driving conditions.

Most members of this group are professionals in a variety of fields. They devote their time to study and research safe fuel-saving practices and are passionate about discovering methods of fuel conservation. Their political views span the spectrum, but they do not permit political stands to distract them from the quest for improved MPG.

Astonishing improvements of 20-100% over EPA ratings are typical. Some methods are updated versions of long-standing techniques; others capitalize on new aspects of auto design. Some involve minor vehicle modifications, such as adding a gauge to track MPG in vehicles that lack this capability.

The biggest improvements result from modifications to the driver. Initial changes are simply abiding by the speed limit, keeping right, maintaining safe spacing between vehicles, and paying full attention to driving, including no cell phone use while driving. Hypermilers also have ways to avoid disrupting traffic flow, which can waste fuel for others. For a "typical" driver who is accustomed to speeding and tailgating while talking on a cell phone, this is a difficult transition that takes time but results in a much safer driver. All of the Hypermiling techniques incorporate the essence of defensive driving.

A recent outbreak of press reports has revealed confusion and a lack of knowledge about Hypermiling. Many of these reports have misrepresented it as a dangerous, haphazard activity. Accurate information is available at CleanMPG website in the "AAA's Hypermiling is Dangerous" rebuttal.

Courtesy: Clean MPG LLC, USA

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Posted by Jigar Gondalia on 16 July, 2008 2:36:20 PM IST #