“Hypermilers” go to considerable extremes to get high gas mileage—many can more than double the rated mpg of their vehicles in ideal conditions. While these strategies are not always considered safe or prudent, they can be used judiciously on open roads with light traffic. One technique that works well with the Prius is known as “pulse and glide.” The practice is to accelerate up to 39 mph using the ICE. Then, you remove your foot from the accelerator so the ICE shuts off, and coast down to 33 mph. This repeated process can help increase your mpg on long, straight, fairly level roads. Some hybrids require riding the brake very gently for a few seconds to shut off the ICE. While the car is gliding, be sure you are neither using regenerative braking nor engaging the ICE. Maintaining a coasting glide on level ground takes some accelerator finesse, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t get results at first. A Web search for “hypermiling” will yield a wealth of information for your specific vehicle.
