We are a research-based, public forum where drivers can come to exchange ideas about improving fuel economy in their cars. 

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The Importance of Hypermiling:

Transportation-related carbon emissions account for approximately 30% of the total U.S. CO2e emissions.  Despite more aggressive Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards announced by 

President Obama in May, 2009, theU.S. lags most developed and some developing countries in average national fuel economy.  Even China is far ahead of the U.S. in terms of both average fuel economy 

and grams of CO2e per km traveled.  How does theU.S. expect to be a leader in multilateral energy and climate deals without dealing with its own shortcomings?  Aside from revising national policies, 

we can individually minimize our driving, we can increase the passenger load by carpooling, and we can maximize our fuel economy through our driving behavior.... hypermile.   

Our Definition of Hypermiling: 

To be a member of the HypermileClub, you must beat the highest fuel economy number (highway for most vehicles, city for Prius) in the old EPA test (follow the instructions on the Resources page).  

How the EPA determines fuel economy:  

 In 2006, the EPA changed the test used to determine fuel economy. The EPA fuel economy estimates now use vehicle-specific data from tests designed to replicate three real-world conditions, which can significantly affect fuel economy: high speed/rapid acceleration, use of air conditioning, and cold temperature operation. Previously, these conditions were accounted for by across-the-board adjustments, rather than by vehicle-specific testing. EPA's new fuel economy estimates will also reflect other conditions that influence fuel economy, like road grade, wind, tire pressure, load, and the effects of different fuel properties.  

The fuel economy for each vehicle model will continue to be presented to consumers on the label as city and highway MPG estimates. In 2011, manufacturers will need to perform additional cold temperature, air conditioning, and/or high speed/rapid acceleration driving tests for those vehicles most sensitive to these conditions. However, in order to provide consumers with better fuel economy estimates, EPA will use new calculation methods that capture these driving conditions.  

These estimates began with model year 2008 vehicles. The interim period from model year 2008 to model year 2011 gives manufacturers enough time to plan for this additional testing, while providing consumers with estimates that capture more realistic driving conditions (this section taken from www.epa.gov). 

How will the new EPA test affect the CAFE standards? 

The new EPA test method will have no effect on the CAFE standards because these standards have their own tests administered by the NHTSA (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration).   

Bikermiling: 

 This new term, invented by the HypermileClub, is defined as maximizing the number of miles on your bike with the fewest calories...  Bikermiling could easily develop unhealthy habits and, therefore, individual feats are not tracked by the HypermileClub.  

Trainermiling:

 (ok, like bikermiling we also made this word up but the concept exists) 

http://www.bnsf.com/employees/communications/bnsf_today/2009/06/2009-06-25-a.html

(photo: Jacob Teter)

Some people just need two wheels, two cups of espresso and a pair of shades to hypermile 

-Transportation Graduate Student Jacob Teter on hypermiling

* Club Member Kelly Grogan breaks Hypermile Club Record by hypermiling her 2008 

Yaris 45 MPG (with a 34 MPG standard)

* New HypermileClub Officers established

* "Hypermile" named "Word of the Year" in the New Oxford Dictionary

* DOE to incentivize hypermiling by car manufacturers

(photo: Tom Morrison)

Fuel Economy Timeline: 

1861: UK passes first speed limit of 16 km/h with the Locomotive Act 

1973: OPEC Oil Embargo 

1974: U.S. adopts 55 MPH speed limit

1978: First national fuel economy standards introducted (for passenger cars only) 

1979: Fuel economy standards for all vehicles under 6000 lbs 

1979: NHTSA requires car odometers to have special emphasis on "55 MPH" 

1980: Fuel economy standards for all vehicles under 8500 lbs (present day threshold) 

1981: Nevada passes law that fines motorists $5 for exceeding speed limit 

1985: CAFE standard for passenger cars: 27.5 MPG 

1987: Nevada defies national 55 MPH speed limit by posting a 70 MPH sign on 3 miles of I-80.  The Federal Highway Administration immediately withholds federal highway funding 

1987: Fuel economy of U.S. trucks and passenger cars combined average reaches all time high: 26.2 MPG  

1987: Federal government increases federal speed limit cap to 65 MPH 

1990: The Clean Air Act created major changes on gasoline, rightfully intended to eliminate pollution. 

1995: The federal government fully relinquishes control of speed limits to state governments 

2006: Consumer Reports releases survey results saying 90% of Americans want tougher CAFE standards 

2006: Survey says 59% of Americans oppose reducing federal speed limits 

2006: Tesla roadster introduced with 100+ fuel economy 

2009: Hawaii remains the state with the lowest maximum speed limit: 60 MPH.  American Somoa has the lowest maximum of any U.S. territory: 35 MPH 

2011: First expected increase in CAFE standards since 1985 

2016:  U.S. CAFE standards set for 35.5 MPG for total vehicle fleet