Hypermiling

Hypermiling

Fuel economy in automobiles can be improved in many ways, including increasing engine efficiency, reducing aerodynamic drag, rolling friction, and energy lost to braking (and to a lesser extent by regenerative braking). Techniques used to improve fuel economy range from simple coasting to complex pulse and glide with the extreme case being drafting.

Terms for unusual driving techniques to maximize fuel efficiency include hypermiling (which originated from hybrid vehicle driving clubs and noted hypermiler Wayne Gerdes and combines current technology (e.g., real time mileage displays) with driving techniques innovated historically with events such as Mobil Economy Run during the 1930s, gas rationing during World War II, techniques that prevailed during 1973 oil crisis, and methods used globally in markets that endure expensive fuel) and nempimania or nenpimania: an obsession with getting the best fuel economy or the best only-electric range possible from a hybrid car, derived from the Japanese "nempi" (燃費): a contraction of nenryōshōhiryō （燃料消費量, fuel economy) and mania ("craze for").

Some fuel economy techniques has come under fire from several quarters due to claims of dangerous or unlawful behavior by some drivers, such as tailgating larger vehicles on freeways to save fuel.