Post Originally Written November 2, 2009
Just over a month ago, I purchased a Ford Fusion Hybrid. I am enjoying the vehicle and the great fuel economy! With many trips now behind me, I have discovered the key feature that I wish every vehicle were equipped with – the trip summary.
Each time I take a trip, from a mile to 100 miles, I get a summary at the end that includes miles driven, MPG, and fuel used for the trip. This information is put right next to my overall fuel efficiency to date so I immediately know if that trip was better or worse than my overall average.
In addition to the trip summary, the Fusion Hybrid has a gauge that shows me my miles per gallon while I am driving. I have realized that keeping this key information in front of me at all times, has made me much more conscious of my driving habits and how those habits impact fuel economy – both positively and negatively.
In fact, driving the car has become a game. I tell family and friends that I am always trying to “beat” my last score. For example, I know that it is difficult for me to get as good of fuel economy on the way to work (with the heater running) as it is on the drive home when I use the heater less. For me, in addition to the fuel economy game, I also like the ability to see how far I can drive in the pure electric mode.
While the electric part of the game is only an option with a hybrid electric vehicle, I believe the trip summary would be a great addition to any vehicle on the market. This would help drivers understand how their personal driving habits are impacting their fuel efficiency. And, over time, driving more fuel consciously would reduce fuel costs no matter what type of vehicle you drive.
One additional advantage of the system for me has been the increased awareness of the impact “short trips” have on my fuel spending. Rather than run out to the store these days, I tend to bundle my errands in groups. That way, I am combining multiple trips into one and reducing my fuel consumption.
So, the next time you hop in the car to run an errand, try to think about other things you can accomplish along your route.