DISQUS

What I find so interesting in these comments is the amount of animosity shown towards these hypermilers, none of whom I have met while here at Hybridfest in Madison, WI, have any interest in causing a traffic collision. In fact, quite the opposite--without exception, all are extremely conscious of their environment, and of the drivers around them. Watching the readouts on their vehicles is no more distracting than looking at your speedometer, yet the suspicion they've received here is just like that shown them on the roadways by those who break the law by speeding, who feel the need to speed up to a traffic light, only to slam on the brakes to stop. Today the winner of the MPG Challenge was able to achieve 168 miles per gallon with only slight modifications to his vehicle--inflating his tires to reduce resistance, and moderating his driving habits to levels we can all easily accomodate, if we simply choose to. I'm sure I'm not the only one to applaud his achievement. This same individual traveled over 2000 miles from the Seattle, WA area to Madison WI, and spent only $56 on fuel. I bet many readers of this blog spend that in less than a week driving their SUV's to and from the grocery store. Sadly though, the rat race we all live in, forces us to speed up to get somewhere in as short amount a time as possible...damn the consequences, full speed ahead and to heck with the other guy. The hypermilers' disdain for the dependence this country has on foreign oil and the consequences that it causes is the single biggest theme that I could see that unites them in their desire for better fuel economy, resulting in a cleaner environment and a safer country. A moral crusade? Nah. Equating driving a Prius with driving drunk? Please....Here's a better analogy. Speeding = a speeding ticket, higher insurance premiums and a a roadway less safer for your passengers and vehicles around you. Hypermiling = saving money.

Hi Matthew--I noted in that blog post on Robert's site that I had been invited to the Detroit Auto Show and DID disclose that on the write up of my podcasts and to ask if people thought that what I wrote was enough of a disclosure. Here is the disclosure:

Reporter's Notes: We must be making quite an impression on the large automakers with our content here on The Next Gear. So much so that GM invited us for an all expense paid trip to Detroit to cover the North American International Auto Show. While there, they wined and dined us and gave us unprecedented access to designers, high level corporate bigwigs and company spokespeople, yet with no requirement that we publish anything about them, only that we disclose this enticement. It was an opportunity we are happy to share with you, our audience. I encourage you to leave your feedback!



While at the show, in addition to getting interviews with GM folks who do have s tory to tell in the space that we cover, I also use the opportunity to speak with other companies who otherwise I would not be able to.