Finally figured out P&G, what a boost!

I just noticed you're in VA. Where in particular? I gather from this comment it's in the eastern part of the state.

Aww, go ahead and say bad words.

Of course it's ludicrous to burn more total fuel just to pad the numbers. As I try alternative routes I plug that distance, the baseline distance, and the typical (for the temperature) baseline fuel economy into a spreadsheet. The spreadsheet calculates what fuel economy I need to get on the alternative route to break even.

 

I found this thing on youtube really instructive!

 

awesome JIm! You came across on video as no crazy but instead a regular guy who has an answer! Good for you!!

 

Is it better to accelerate up to speed quick ( not drag racing ) or to take you time within reason?

 

Ichiro and Sheepdog, thanks for the kind words!

I generally suggest modest acceleration. Others use the terms "moderate" or "brisk."

Actually, those terms are vague, so here is something objective to use: Keep your instantaneous MPG at least half the vehicle speed, up to what traffic conditions and driver temperament will allow. Some of us that have tracked the relationship between ICE (internal combustion engine) speed and the iMPG:MPH ratio have demonstrated that this generally keeps ICE RPM out of inefficiently high ranges across a fairly wide range of vehicle speeds.

Don't accelerate so slowly that you're running on the battery only. The only exception will be pulling off from a dead stop, where a brief burst of battery-only is almost inevitable. Generally by the time you hit 10 MPH or so the ICE is running and the iMPG:MPH ratio can be followed.

 

This car is unlike anything else on the road, why wouldn't the driving technique differ also?
We own a car that is capable of running on no gas. Why not learn how to exploit that?
That's what knowing how to glide, stealth and warp stealth is all about to me. Once you learn how to do it, properly, then learn when to do it. And the person behind you will be none the wiser.

P&G is applicable most anywhere, anytime. But don't be mistaken, I'm not talking about the original, all-out, huge speed variation version. That is unrealistic, unless no one else is around.
A pulse is any form of ICE acceleration, a glide is no arrows rolling and should be the goal anytime a steady or diminishing speed below 41 MPH is wanted, especially traveling downhill. Stealth (yellow arrows below 41 MPH) is electric only operation, and can be used for slower speed travel, and the link pulses and glides !!!!
Warp stealth (yellow arrows above 41 mph), to me, is a kind of glide above 41 MPH, because that's just about all that's attainable and sustainable, above that speed. And the technique is the same....Lift off the gas pedal and re-apply lightly.

It takes a little concentration at first, and use of the MFD energy screen is must to attain and maintain. Every single downhill slope, is an opportunity to glide. After a while, it's second nature and effortless. Remeber learning to ride a bike? big deal at the time, nothing now.
It's the way to drive a Prius, since it's capable of running on no gas.
Your're missing out on half of what you bought, if you don't learn the technique and idea.

But to be really good you gotta understand what's possible below 41 MPH, and what's possible above. And that A/C makes it tougher to attain these states.