• On TechRepublic: 10 cool USB flash drive tricks
September 30, 2008 10:15 AM PDT

Couple sets Guinness record for around-the-country fuel economy

by Antuan Goodwin
  • Font size
  • Print
  • 3 comments

John and Helen Taylor

John and Helen Taylor, world record holders

(Credit: Volkswagen of America)

Twenty days, 48 states, and 9,419 miles after leaving Bluefield, Va., John and Helen Taylor arrived in West Virginia as Guinness World Record holders for fuel economy around the country. The Volkswagen- and Shell Oil-sponsored trip was completed in a showroom stock 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI and 11.04 tanks of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel. The hypermiling couple finished with an official 58.82 U.S. mpg, which averages out to 6.9 cents per mile.

The Taylors credit smooth driving and proper vehicle maintenance, amongst other techniques, for their record-setting fuel economy.

Edited: Thanks to our astute readers for pointing out a miscalculation in the cost per mile.

Recent posts from The Car Tech blog
A fable of the Tortoise and the Hare, on wheels
CEOs endorse 'foothold strategy' for electric cars
GM plans to share Volt's technology, but not its name
This Week: Worst new gas guzzlers
144: GM says yes to the Cadillac of Volts
Badass Dodge Challengers rock SEMA Show
Chrysler's grand brand plan
Fiat Abarth 500 Trophy hits the track
Add a Comment (Log in or register) (3 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
by losjackal September 30, 2008 12:56 PM PDT
I can't be "00.069 cents per mile", that's way too low. It's gotta be "00.069 dollars per mile" or "6.9 cents per mile".

Back of the envelope calculation: 11 tanks * 15 gallons each * $4 per gallon * 100 cents in a dollar / 9419 = 7 cents per mile.
Reply to this comment
by mdcpathdok September 30, 2008 12:56 PM PDT
Either this couple paid an average of 4.59 cents per gallon of diesel or the decimal point was misplaced at the end of the story. 7/100ths of a penny per mile would indeed be tremendously economical- but, then, so is 7 cents per mile. Congratulations to the Taylors.
Reply to this comment
by lorrwill October 2, 2008 12:15 PM PDT
Wow. I guess my 55 mpg average (combo city/freeway) is not bad after all.
Reply to this comment
(3 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next

Search Car Tech

advertisement

About The Car Tech blog

CNET's Car Tech blog covers the latest developments in the automotive industry, with commentary on car stereos, hybrid and concept cars, GPS, and much more. The Car Tech blog offers the latest news and reviews from CNET's Car Tech reviews channel.

Add this feed to your online news reader

The Car Tech blog topics