Hypermiling is the act of driving using techniques that maximize fuel economy

Fuel economy-maximizing behaviors

Fuel economy-maximizing behaviors describe techniques that drivers can use to optimize their automobile fuel economy. The energy in fuel consumed in driving is lost in many ways, including engine inefficiency, aerodynamic drag, rolling friction, and kinetic energy lost to braking...

. Those who practice these techniques are referred to as "hypermilers."

Hypermiling can be practiced in any vehicle regardless of its fuel economy

Fuel economy in automobiles

Fuel usage in automobiles refers to the fuel efficiency relationship between distance traveled by an automobile and the amount of fuel consumed....

. It gained popularity as a result of the rise in gasoline prices during the 2000s. Some hypermiling techniques are illegal in some jurisdictions because they are dangerous

In 2008, the word hypermiling was selected as the best new word of the year by New Oxford American Dictionary

New Oxford American Dictionary

The New Oxford American Dictionary is a single-volume dictionary of American English compiled by American editors at the Oxford University Press....

.

Safety and awareness program

Hypermiling has come under fire from several quarters due to claims of dangerous or unlawful behavior by some hypermilers, such as tailgating larger vehicles on freeways to save fuel (see Drafting for efficiency on the road). As a result, the Hypermiling Safety Foundation was formed in August 2008 to promote a safety and public awareness program, advocating legal fuel-saving techniques.

Hypermiling as a sport

Hypermiling contests have been held on selected courses.

The Maximum Fuel Economy contest was held in Elkhart, Indiana

Elkhart, Indiana

Elkhart is a city in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. The city is located east of South Bend, northwest of Fort Wayne, east of Chicago, and north of Indianapolis...

, where "world records" for the Honda Insight

Honda Insight

The Honda Insight is a hybrid electric vehicle manufactured by Honda and the first production vehicle to feature Honda's Integrated Motor Assist system. The first-generation Insight was produced from 1999 to 2006 as a three-door hatchback...

 (213 miles per US gallon (90.6 km/L) round trip), Toyota Prius

Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius is a full hybrid electric mid-size hatchback, formerly a compact sedan developed and manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation...

 (136 miles per US gallon (57.8 km/L) round trip) and the Ford Escape Hybrid (76 miles per US gallon (32.3 km/L) mpg round trip) were set. Contestants used techniques which included rolling through all stop signs and having the vehicle tires inflated well beyond recommended specifications.

Another contest is the Tour to the Shore, held in New Jersey

New Jersey

New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...

, which evaluates drivers of cars and trucks.