Southern California has the highest gas prices in the country, nearly $2 a gallon higher than a year ago. The costs have spurred some residents to master the art of fuel economy.
Wayne Gerdis, who is serious about keeping his gas tank going further, said he gets “significantly over 80 mpg” – about 60% more than what the EPA says it should be. his Prius plug-in hybrid.
Gerdis is one of the country’s leading “hypermailers” – drivers who push fuel economy to the limit. Some are trying to reduce drag, drop weight, and even traction behind semi-trailers.
Gerdis often drives downhill and drives slowly and confidently, such as driving at 55 mph on Interstate 5 outside of San Diego, even if that means he drives much slower than virtually everyone else on the road.
“It’s all right,” Gerdis told CBS News. “They don’t buy my gasoline.”
Gerdis says he always follows the speed limit.
“Speed kills fuel economy,” he said. “There is no way around this.”
Its goal is to always stay in motion, accelerating smoothly. And he starts to brake slowly long before the red traffic light to pass when the green light turns on.
Brian Cooley, editor of CNET, said these methods can be annoying to other drivers, but “most of the advice in the hypermiler exercise book is smart.”
“The optics will be bad for other drivers because it’s not the usual pattern we all follow,” Cooley told CBS News.
On the day that CBS News drove with Gerdis, he averaged 110 mpg on city streets. It all adds up – he saves about $2,500 a year.
“Every dollar I save on fuel is a dollar in my pocket,” he said.
Actual news
Chris Van Cleve