EV Mode Help PLEASE

The original battery is not designed to be plugged in and neither is it really designed to run in electric mode only for more than 1 mile.

It looks to me that what you were hoping for is the Prius plugin which is not yet available for sale.

 

Don't try to run on electric only, it will only make your gas mileage worse. Think of it this way: All of the energy used by your Prius comes from burning gasoline - all of it, even the charge in the battery, even the electricity recovered from regenerative braking.

Since all of the energy of the Prius comes from burning gasoline, for the best mileage you want to get that energy from the engine to the wheels in the most efficient way. Using it from the battery is not the most efficient way. That energy starts as gasoline, burns in the engine, spins a generator to make electricity, changes the electricity into chemical energy in the battery, changes the chemical energy in the battery back into electricity, and spins an electric motor with the electricity. That is a *lot* of conversion steps, and you suffer a lot of losses in the process.

The HV battery in a Prius is very small when compared to the energy content of the gas tank. Think of the HV battery as a flywheel: it stores *small* amounts of energy to help when needed, but it is not intended to move the car any great distance.

The 12V battery is used to power accessories when the Prius is off, and to boot the computers during power up. After the Prius powers up, the 12V system is powered by a DC to DC converter from the HV system.

Tom

 

welcome to the club! it sounds like your car has not had the ev mode installed. it is a non toyota aftermarket kit that may void the mfg. warranty on u.s. models of gen II 04 -09. if it was installed, you would see an ev button on the dash or you would need to know it was installed because it is controlled by the cruise control.

either way, it is not for saving fuel (generally, running in electric only will increase fuel usage as the engine recharges the battery).
it is to demonstrate electric only, or for moving your car short distances without the engine starting.

drive your prius like a normal car. if your are easy on accellaration, don't speed and use your brake as little as possible (gliding to stop lights instead of gunning it and slamming on the brakes) and you learn some fuel saving tips like pulse and glide, you should see 50-60 mpg in good weather when heat and a/c are not running. good luck, and keep us posted on your success!

 

it is probably fine, without actually feeling it, i cannot say for sure, but i can feel the engine running at idle when it doesn't shut down.
keep the questions coming, that's what p/c is all about!

 

you're best bet is to search these forums for tips on fuel efficiency.
you will see things like oil level and cleanliness, 12v battery quality and tire pressure as you already mentioned, and more technical/mechanical things to look at. how many miles/tankfulls have you driven so far? what is your weather like?

 

This is not entirely true. My mileage is not worse when I use electric only a lot. The reason is because I plan my routes so the hybrid battery can get charged by downhill coasting, thus not costing me any fuel.

 

Actually, you're both right. Before you can go downhill, you've got to go uphill...and that takes fuel. By doing your charging on the downhill side (using regen) you're getting the most efficient usage of the hybrid.

 

During the summer months, I also only use my A/C when going downhill or coasting.