Using EV mode for short trips?

Not sure but interested in knowing as we'll. The maximum speed I believe s 25 MPH so there is room for engineering improvement.

 

It seems to be about a mile or so for me.

 

This is only the limit of the EV Mode button. It is entirely possible to drive the car without using this button but without the ICE kicking in until you exceed 76 km/h (~47 mph), though you'll need to be really patient and careful with your foot. The problem is that you'll soon drop the battery charge too far and the ICE will then kick on.

Exactly how far you get without using the ICE just depends how you are driving and what the terrain is like. I find on flat roads that a nice gentle cruise at about 50-60 km/h (about 31-37 mph) will see the car happily go a considerable distance. It would go 3km. This said, doing this is going to hurt the overall fuel economy, because the car will be forced to recharge the battery sooner than it should. The HSD is good for capturing energy that would otherwise be wasted, but it's not effective to unnecessarily try to avoid using the ICE... basically you'll end up paying for the awesome mileage that appeared for the really short trip on EV.

 

We've been calling the EV without EV-button driving STEATLH. Coined way back in 2000, it still fits.

This automatic mode has a faster electric-only speed because it doesn't draw as much power from the battery-pack as EV.

 

Not using the EV button I can run about 2 miles on the batteries, holding the electric motor at the break even mark, just before the engine kicks on. The speed is about 35 mph. Now, If I punch it from a start, using gas engine to get up to speed, I can maintain 25 mph plus for longer than 2 miles, 10 mph slower than above. I rarely do that now but played with it when I first got the car. Air conditioned golf cart is what my grand kids say when running around on the electric motor only.
Dan

 

ICE stands for Internal Combustion Engine which differentiates it from the electric motor when we talk about hybrid drive trains.

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The EV range in your Prius C comes from electricity generated by the ICE which burns gas, of course. So, your zero emissions run to the supermarket isn't really zero emissions. The ICE will have to run longer and harder to fill up the battery later.

 

No such thing as a free lunch or a zero emissions run to the supermarket.

 

Actually it's mostly downhill from one of my local supermarkets. If I park on an upper level at night, I probably can make it home using no petrol and a decent battery charge, but obviously I have to burn fuel to get up there.

 

Have you tried using a backpack? There are also basket attachments to bicycles that make such a thing much easier. Granted I am single w/ no kids, but what I do is make my grocery runs every week therefore lowering the amount that I need to carry in one run. Just throwing those options out there if you are willing to ride your bike (of which I strongly advocate for trips less than 4 miles, better for you and your car ).

 

Well, it may be more emissions friendly to only fire up the ICE once instead of twice cold.

 

It will be impossible for you to (from a cold start) go to the store in a prius C, without using the gas motor. When you turn on the car, when it's cold, it will warm up, and you can't (as far as I know anyway) prevent this from happening, even with the 'EV' button.

I think if you want to drive to the store on electric only power, you'll need to get a PHEV.

 

Or keep your speed under 10mph so the ICE stays off. LOL

 

Or buy a southern hemisphere c.

 

The ICE comes on at idle.

 

If it's really cold. I meant use EV Mode then keep your speed below 10mph. That's how it works in the GenIII. Not the most efficient method though.

 

'Really cold' in Sacramento == 'really warm' in Seattle. The US version will fire up after about ten seconds of Idle at temperatures below 68F / 20C. International versions appear to be have a lower temperature threshold.

 

Hey now! It drops into the high 20s sometimes.

My morning winter commute is usually around 32-45F.