Man Drives Cross-Country On Two Gallons Of Gas

Ricketts says he's been concerned about U.S. dependence on foreign oil since the 1979 oil crisis.

W

ith gas prices topping $4 a gallon in most of the country, everyone is looking for ways to stretch their fuel mileage. Well, one college professor is going to extremes to do just that.

Cliff Ricketts went from Savannah, Ga. to Long Beach, Ca. on just 10 gallons of gas. The 63-year-old professor of agricultural education at Middle Tennessee State in Murfreesboro, Tennessee says he's been concerned about U.S. dependence on foreign oil sources since the 1979 oil crisis.

Cliff Ricketts modified a 2007 Toyota Prius to run on compressed hydrogen.

Using some research grant money and assistance from some students, Ricketts refitted three cars—two Toyota Priuses and a 1994 Toyota Tercel—to run on compressed hydrogen, batteries, or E95 fuel. E95 is mainly ethanol with some regular gasoline blended in.

Ricketts wanted to do the 2,582-mile trip (not counting food and rest stops) completely on hydrogen, making it gas free, but he didn't have enough hydrogen tanks. His assistants towed two of the three vehicles with conventional vans.

He made it on just a little bit over two gallons, and he said it cost about $4,000 for the hydrogen tanks and another $1,500 to convert a 2007 Prius to run on non-conventional fuel.

Some college professors operate on theories, while Ricketts went out and made his equipment work. We're sure the oil companies aren't pleased.

[Sources: Yahoo!, The Tennessean]