I've always thought Consumer Reports thoughly researches their material - even blogs before putting them out to print. The blogger (profile here might hint at his perspective) Does this remind you of the early hybrid reviews by gearheads? Hardly a neutral observer and definitely not a statistical sample. Prius Chat (mentioned in blog) and other sites would have condemned the Insight running the red stop sign from hypermilers themselves.
What really endangers lifes and wastes fuel on the roads today? Here is an example of a minor fender-bender in the North Dallas area in Carrollton at I35E and TX190:
- 1-2 thousand drivers at gridlock on the side of the minor accident
- About as many rubberneckers in the opposite direction slowing down for no good reason
- I consumed 25% more fuel on that commute, so multiply that times those thousands of drivers, plus the police and wrecker that came.
- All because one driver was late, sleepy, inattentive, speeding,...or something else that was probably easily avoidable.
Maybe the blogger got a buzz, but the real waste and hazard is NOT hypermiling. BTW - he totally misrepresented that.