OVERVIEW

Hypermilers (ecomodder is the preferred term) are a different type of car enthusiast. They modify their cars and driving styles to achieve optimal fuel economy, which often leads to sensational mileage numbers. While it’s easy to think of people who fit cars with skinnier tires and homemade aerodynamic pieces as unorthodox, it’s important to remember that they have a lot in common with the guy who modifies a car to blitz down the quarter-mile.

There are plenty of myths about hypermiling practices and their efficacy, but Darin Cosgrove of Ecomodder.com has spoken to Driving about ecomodding and, hopefully, his words can put some myths to rest. Cosgrove is a long-time car nut whose interest in fuel economy was sparked by teaching a defensive driving course during university.

“I dove into the subject matter [of fuel-efficient driving] and got hooked,” he says.

Cosgrove sees fuel economy as a personal challenge and enjoys trying to beat his previous “high score.” And his high scores are very impressive, as he achieves an incredibly frugal 3.8 L/100 km in his modified 1998 Geo Metro.

“The biggest myth is that ‘hypermiling’ equals ‘dangerous,’ ” Cosgrove says.

There are more than 100 driving tips for getting better fuel economy listed on the site, and although drafting (tailing a big truck so you get less wind resistance) is listed, it is not recommended for a variety of safety reasons. In fact, the site bluntly states that “it’s a stupid thing to do.”

“We have an exhaustive list of economy driving tips on the site and state emphatically up front that a driver’s top priority should be safety,” Cosgrove says.

He also frowns upon other “anti-social” driving habits, such as driving too slowly for traffic conditions. He says that the term hypermiling has become associated with unsafe practices and modern fuel economy enthusiasts are trying to distance themselves from that image. The idea of being stuck behind someone going 65 km/h on a highway for less wind resistance is enough to sour many on the idea of hypermiling, and our own David Booth wrote a scathing Motor Mouth piece about some of these practices and many more.

“Sure, it’s true that some drivers trying to save gas are idiots,” Cosgrove says. “Just as some performance car drivers are idiots and some drivers who have cellphones are idiots. But it’s a mistake to paint everyone with the same brush.”

Cosgrove goes on to note that many drivers actually become more aware of their surroundings when driving for peak efficiency.

“It’s a driving style that makes you much safer than the average driver,” he says.

These techniques could be worth learning because he says that employing a few easy-to-grasp methods are usually good for a 10% to 15% increase in fuel economy.

Cosgrove also says that many new hybrids and electric vehicles are like “rolling video games” to an ecomodder because their design rewards hypermiling techniques much more than conventional vehicles do. For example, the Honda Insight is a popular choice for those aiming for ultimate fuel economy.

Ecomodders are also highly anticipating the launch of the 2015 Nissan Micra in Canada. Cosgrove tells us that “the Micra is interesting because it seems to be part of an econobox revival. It’s great to see the return of cheap, little economy cars.”

With a predicted curb weight of just 978 kilograms, the new Micra should be a popular choice for those looking to go far on a tank of gas.

As much as the two factions might not like to admit it, ecomodders have a lot in common with other enthusiasts like drag racers. They both modify their cars and driving techniques to achieve a certain goal. But drag racers are considerably less interested in the new Micra.