With all the recent attention on hypermiling, both via contributors to the GH real mileage database, via the NPR broadcast on hypermiling etc... I have started to think about hypermiling, hybrids, and my own feelings of inadequacy as a hypomiler
- I'm currently running a lifetime avg of 45.7 mpg in my pipsqueak II.

Obviously hypermiling is quite feasible as demonstrated by many.
Obviously to me, it is also obtained under conditions that I would not like to replicate under most circumstances (as pointed out by many of the HM contributors).

The point of my post is related but different, and is summarized in this question:

Are hybrids necessary for hypermiling, and are they suited for hypermiling?

I'll jump ahead and give my answer to these questions: NO in both cases - and have to add that these answers are merely an educated guess.
Details will follow here:

Being a hypomiler myself, I have to go by the descriptions others have provided on hypermiling (HM) techniques. Burst & glide type locomotion (it goes by a variety of names, I like the one commonly used in biological research for the type of locomotion found to be energy saving by a lot of organisms), is the prevalent mode describe by HMs:
Accelerate to about 41 miles per hour, then glide to 31. Repeat until tank is empty.
As pointed out by some, the most effective way of doing this burst and glide, is to have zero energy flow to/from the battery, because that is inefficient.
The latter observation is what got me going.

Zero energy flow to / from battery pretty much bypasses all hybrid technology!
Then why use hybrids for hypermiling?

I therefore would hazard the statement that hybrid technology is not needed for hypermiling, and in fact may be a hindrance. Why? Simple: if you don't use it, lugging around the extra mass of an electric motor and battery will decrease your mileage.
In terms of the Prius, certainly aerodynamics and absence of clutch / torque converter will help, but those are Prius wizardry, not hybrid technology.

I believe HM have accomplished so much in hybrids, simply because hybrids other than the recent breed of hi-power SUVs and maybe the HAH (no hypermiling there) have such small and effiicent ICEs. I think the key to the type of hypermiling described here on GH, is simply a small, frugal engine (e.g. the ICEs in Prius and Insight), and a lightweight car, great aerodynamics, low rolling resistance.
The interesting thing is that for example by the standards of 25 years ago, the 73 hp of the Prius II ICE would have been quite potent. I would also guess that with small cars with small engines, from 25 years ago, one could easily hypermile to amazing extents (ok, not with SULEV or less emissions...).

The bottom line for my post is that I believe that all this attention on hypermiling is distracting from what hybrids are about and accomplish for daily drivers who cannot burst and glide to / from work. Hypermiling is not what hybrids are about IMHO, and hypermiling does not highlight the abilities of hybrids in any way.

Ok, long post, comments anyone?

M