September 13, 2024 – The Autopian, a leading automotive media outlet, reported on September 12th that an unmodified Toyota Prius, the fifth generation model, has set a new Guinness World Record. Under the skilled hands of Wayne Gerdes, the hybrid vehicle achieved an impressive combined fuel economy average of 93.158 miles per gallon (equivalent to 39.6 kilometers per liter, or 2.52 liters per 100 kilometers). This remarkable feat surpasses Gerdes’ previous record by over 20%.
The record was established at the conclusion of a cross-country journey that spanned from the Los Angeles City Hall to the New York City Hall, covering a total distance of approximately 3,211.7 miles (roughly 5,168.73 kilometers). During this challenging trip, Gerdes traversed regions with elevations reaching up to 7,000 feet (around 2,133.6 meters) and encountered temperatures peaking at 105 Fahrenheit (approximately 40.56 Celsius).
Gerdes embarked on his journey in Los Angeles and drove to Lakewood, California, before heading to Flagstaff, Arizona. He continued his route through Fort Sumner, New Mexico, and arrived in Amarillo, Texas, where he was forced to stop for a refill.
At this point, Gerdes had already achieved a cumulative fuel consumption of 106.334 miles per gallon. However, the leg of the journey to Russell, Arkansas, saw a slight dip in this figure, bringing it down to 98.023 miles per gallon (equivalent to 2.39 liters per 100 kilometers).
As he progressed towards Knoxville, Tennessee, the fuel economy experienced a further decline, with the cumulative average settling at 94.010 miles per gallon (2.50 liters per 100 kilometers).
Remarkably, the trend reversed during the stretch from Knoxville to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where the cumulative average climbed to 94.993 miles per gallon (2.47 liters per 100 kilometers).
The final leg of the journey to the New York City Hall, with a refueling stop in New Jersey, almost sealed the record. The overall average fuel consumption for the entire 3,211.7-mile trip stood at 93.158 miles per gallon (2.52 liters per 100 kilometers), marking a significant milestone in fuel efficiency.