2008-07-18 19:24:06 -

- Hopkins & Associates, Inc. Deena Killingsworth, 972-202-3497 Suzanne@hopkinspr.com or Suzanne Flodin, 214-500-4289 Deena@hopkinsprs.com In an 844-mile tour of Texas, a hypermiling expert driving a hybrid Toyota Prius was able to average 68.5 miles per gallon of gas, 49 percent more than the EPA estimate of 46 mpg for the car. On just one tank of

gas, the driver was also able to get markedly better gas mileage and use much less gas than a driver in a Prius on the same route, using normal driving habits.

Dan Bryant, the high mileage expert, used hypermiling techniques to drive a Toyota Prius from Houston to Corpus Christi, then to San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and back to Houston. Michael Garfield, "The High-Tech Texan(R)," drove the same route in a Prius using only normal driving habits.

"Over the course of this trip through Texas, hypermiling saved about 40 percent over normal driving, by using some basic driving techniques aimed at increasing mileage and saving gasoline," Bryant said. "Anyone can use these same methods to save money, no matter if they are driving a hybrid or a big truck."

Garfield pointed out, "Even using normal driving methods, hybrid technology can save significant amounts of gasoline and money, by wringing the best mileage out of every gallon in town and on the highway."

Bryant got 68.5 miles per gallon on the trip, while Garfield averaged 40.4 mpg. Driving the 844 miles on the trip, Bryant used only 12.3 gallons of gas, while Garfield used 20.9 gallons. At $4 per gallon, Bryant's hypermiling techniques cost $49.20 and saved $34.40 over Garfield's gas cost of $83.60.

Hypermilers use a collection of fairly simple driving techniques designed to optimize gasoline mileage. Bryant says, "Our tips on how to save gas money are easy to use, and work no matter what kind of vehicle you drive."

See website at www.106mpg.com for more information.

¶ Expert Shaves Gas Cost, Uses One Tank on 844-Mile Tour