Ford makes an impressive claim that they can travel 1,000 miles on a single tank of gas in the new Fusion Hybrid, and this weekend they will put it to the test.

1,000 miles on a single tank is an impressive achievement.  Given the size of the Fusion's gas tank, the drivers will have to average 57 mpg during their trek.  That doesn't seem unobtainable as hypermillers (those people who drive obsessively slow and coast for miles to get great gas mileage) have managed up to 70 mpg in the Fusion Hybrid.

Ford will begin their 1,000 mile journey in Mount Vernon, VA and end in Washington, DC.  A straight line distance between the two cities is only about 20 miles, but their route will take them out of their way.  The team of drivers will drive for 43 straight hours to complete the 1,000 mile journey.  The team is made up of Ford engineers, a fuel efficiency expert, and a Nascar superstar by the name of Carl Edwards.

Though the journey will certainly be a publicity act, proceeds from the event will go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Here are the specifics on the driving portion of the event.  It will kick off at 8:00 am on Saturday the 25th in Mount Vernon and ends during the morning hours of Sunday the 27th.  They will drive for 43 continuous hours with each team of drivers driving for two to three hours before switching out.  They will need to average 57 mpg to drive 1,000 miles on a single tank and the gasoline will be regular 87 octane.  The Ford Fusion Hybrid will be a factory made car with no modifications of any kind.

In the end, the goal for Ford is more about teaching driver's how to conserve gas than achieving the 1,000 miles on a single tank.  Though it will look good for the company and the Ford Fusion Hybrid, they are highlighting what they call Eco-Driving.  Eco-Driving makes the driver aware of his or her actions and make them conscientiously try to save fuel as they drive.

Look for an update to this story at the end of the event.  We will let you know if Ford achieves 1,000 miles on a single tank of gas.

Source:  Ford Press Release