A method for configuring a vehicle to have an optimized fuel usage rate over a drive cycle, the method comprising: receiving a set of vehicle configuration records; receiving a drive cycle record, wherein the drive cycle record includes a time series of road grade values and vehicle speed values; for each vehicle configuration record of the set of vehicle configuration records: a test vehicle is built according to each vehicle configuration record and said test vehicle is coupled to a vehicle test fixture; the vehicle test fixture tests the test vehicle by causing the test vehicle to operate at the received vehicle speed values while applying a resistance force to simulate the road condition according to the time series of road grade values and vehicle speed values included in the drive cycle record; collecting sensor data from the test vehicle while executing each test; calculating at least one fuel rate optimization value based on the sensor data for each vehicle configuration record of the set of vehicle configuration records; and storing the at least one fuel rate optimization value in a performance data store in association with each vehicle configuration record of the set of vehicle configuration records; comparing the fuel rate optimization values in the performance data store; and building a vehicle to be operated in real-world conditions according to the vehicle configuration record associated with the highest fuel rate optimization value. receiving a set of vehicle configuration records; receiving a drive cycle record, wherein the drive cycle record includes a time series of road grade values and vehicle speed values; for each vehicle configuration record of the set of vehicle configuration records: a test vehicle is built according to each vehicle configuration record and said test vehicle is coupled to a vehicle test fixture; the vehicle test fixture tests the test vehicle by causing the test vehicle to operate at the received vehicle speed values while applying a resistance force to simulate the road condition according to the time series of road grade values and vehicle speed values included in the drive cycle record; collecting sensor data from the test vehicle while executing each test; calculating at least one fuel rate optimization value based on the sensor data for each vehicle configuration record of the set of vehicle configuration records; and storing the at least one fuel rate optimization value in a performance data store in association with each vehicle configuration record of the set of vehicle configuration records; a test vehicle is built according to each vehicle configuration record and said test vehicle is coupled to a vehicle test fixture; the vehicle test fixture tests the test vehicle by causing the test vehicle to operate at the received vehicle speed values while applying a resistance force to simulate the road condition according to the time series of road grade values and vehicle speed values included in the drive cycle record; collecting sensor data from the test vehicle while executing each test; calculating at least one fuel rate optimization value based on the sensor data for each vehicle configuration record of the set of vehicle configuration records; and storing the at least one fuel rate optimization value in a performance data store in association with each vehicle configuration record of the set of vehicle configuration records; comparing the fuel rate optimization values in the performance data store; and building a vehicle to be operated in real-world conditions according to the vehicle configuration record associated with the highest fuel rate optimization value.