2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Pushing Greener Standards

Scott Madaus
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is on a journey on the east coast near Washington D.C.

Engineers and specially trained driving crews with the Ford Motor Company set a goal to reach 1000 miles on just 1 tank of gas with the Fusion Hybrid., and with 1/3 of a tank left they achieved their goal.

A Ford engineer says, "We actually, we doubled the range it should have actually received per the EPA and tank capacity."

According to Ford Motor Company not only was the goal achieved they set a world record driving 1,445 miles on just one tank.

According to Steve Nagel with Dobbs Ford in Memphis, the car the Ford teams used was a stock Fusion Hybrid just like the one sitting in his dealership.

Nagel says, "The car actually runs on batteries from 0 to 47 miles per hour it develops it charges the batteries thru kinetic energy in the brakes."

Drivers trained in mileage maximizing techniques averaged 81.5 miles per gallon on their calculated trip.

Nagel says, "And you have all the creature comforts all the upgrades extremely responsive handling its not a small car its a mid size car so it fits both sides."

While the car Nagel says is rated to get over 700-miles on one tank.

Ford says they achieved their extraordinary goal and then some by slowing down and maintaining even throttle pressure, gradually accelerating and smoothly braking.

Other "eco-driving" methods they used:

Maintaining a safe distance between vehicles and anticipating traffic conditions.
Coasting up to red lights and stop signs to avoid fuel waste and brake wear.
Minimizing use of heater and air conditioning to reduce the load on the engine.
Hitting the streets in a Ford Fusion Hybrid is a lesson in conservation. With it's special display gauges the car teaches you to drive more eco friendly, almost challenging you to make the most out of one tank of fuel.

Nagel says, "You can set it for whatever your competency level is and it will give you more techniques on how to get better fuel economy."

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