20080802
Hypermiling
I wonder how many folks are practicing some form of hypermiling without knowing it. For the past several weeks I’ve been employing a few of the most elementary tricks while in my 1998 Caravan. Things like accelerating slowly, not (being caught) stopping fully when possible, and doing the speed limit. I’ve been keeping detailed records of my gas usage and mileage since I bought the Caravan new and it appears that just these simplest things have increased my gas mileage by at least 10%. The thing is (and in some contrast to my post on civility) quite a few folks don’t seem to mind and are often found to be doing the same thing I am. I suspect the high price of gas has changed attitudes on the road as well as those in the automobile showroom.
Hooda Thunkit said,
August 19, 2008 @ 1510
Joe,
I’ve noticed less crazy people playing the fool, when gas prices are high and I’ve noticed more big cars/trucks parked too.
But when the prices fall, they return to their old gasoline “drug” ways again…
Still not noticing much of an increase in people selling their cars/trucks and going on a permanent “gasoline diet” diet though.
It’s just like in the early 70’s again. . .
JMZ said,
August 19, 2008 @ 2025
Hooda,
The only thing different this time than it was in the ’70s is that it is a much more global problem and there is more we can do than just conserve energy (which no one really liked to do then or now). We’ve 35 years of technological advances in things like batteries, solar power, wind-power, and biotechnology. The latter is close to having our cake and eating it too.
Hooda Thunkit said,
August 22, 2008 @ 1818
Joe,
Yeah, but…
We still buy/drive cars that we can’t even begin to use the way that they are built and gasoline isn’t yet expensive or scarce enough to change our minds about our driving wants vs. what is practical and gets the job done.
Although the hybrids are a step in the right direction, plug-ins seem to be the REAL answer.
That is, until I get the bugs worked out of this transporter thingy