In a remarkable display of fuel efficiency, the Toyota Prius has achieved a new Guinness World Record by averaging 93.1 miles per gallon (MPG) on a cross-country journey from Los Angeles City Hall to New York City Hall. This achievement significantly surpasses the Prius’s EPA-rated efficiency of 57 MPG and highlights the vehicle’s exceptional performance over a 3,200-mile trip—one of the longest and most challenging fuel efficiency tests conducted.
The impressive feat was accomplished by Wayne Gerdes, an expert in automotive fuel efficiency and the founder of CleanMPG.com. Known for his record-setting achievements, Gerdes previously set a record in 2016 by driving a Kia Niro hybrid across the country with a then-record 76.6 MPG. His track record also includes a 68 MPG average in a Volkswagen Passat TDI across all 48 contiguous states.
Gerdes’s success with the Toyota Prius can be attributed to his meticulous driving techniques, which are a hallmark of his hypermiling approach. By employing strategies such as minimizing throttle use, maintaining low speeds, and optimizing aerodynamics—like keeping the windows up and avoiding climate control systems—Gerdes was able to achieve remarkable fuel efficiency. Additionally, he utilized advanced techniques like positioning the vehicle’s tires on the smoothest part of the road to reduce energy loss.
While Gerdes’s methods may be extreme and not practical for everyday drivers—such as driving without air conditioning or aiming for ideal road conditions—they demonstrate the potential for significantly exceeding the vehicle’s EPA ratings under optimal conditions.
This achievement not only underscores the Toyota Prius’s potential for exceptional fuel efficiency but also sets a new benchmark for automotive performance in the realm of hypermiling. For those willing to adopt similar strategies, the Prius offers a glimpse into what can be achieved when fuel efficiency is pushed to its limits.
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