Go 1,300 Miles With a Single Tank of Gas
Ford Fusion hybrid exceeds challenge goal on Washington-area roads
By ASHLEY BROWN
Updated 5:09 PM EDT, Tue, Apr 28, 2009
In the shadows of the nation's capital, Ford set a new standard for future cars.
Monday night, Ford's hybrid, the 2010 Fusion, managed to go more than 1,300 miles on a single tank of gas. That means you could drive a Fusion straight from New York to Miami without stopping to fill up.
A team including Ford hybrid engineers, a fuel efficiency expert, and NASCAR star Carl Edwards started the "1,000 Mile Challenge" on Saturday morning in Mount Vernon, Virginia. They were still going along the George Washington Parkway by late Monday night, getting an average of 81.6 miles per gallon.
The team of experts had some strategies (what they call "Eco-Driving" techniques) to maximize mileage on the hybrid's journey, including:
- Gradually accelerating and smoothly braking
- Coasting up to red lights and stop signs to avoid fuel waste and brake wear
- Avoiding bumps and potholes that can reduce momentum
Besides giving us another reason to drive hybrid cars, the 1,000 Mile Challenge also raised funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
More Eco-Driving tips for all drivers are available from Ford here.
First Published: Apr 27, 2009 10:22 PM EDT
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