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PiP/Volt January 7-11 Switcheroo

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Jeff N, Jan 8, 2013.

  1. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Quoting Jeff but the question is to David. Was that highway, city or mixed?
     
  2. devprius

    devprius /dev/geek

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    Mostly highway, with maybe 2 miles of city driving.

    This is what the "Energy Info" screen shows I did for the morning commute (took before we left to
    go get lunch):

    volt-morn.JPG
     
  3. devprius

    devprius /dev/geek

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    I know where I'm going for dinner!
     
  4. devprius

    devprius /dev/geek

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    You'll probably hear a couple of different noises when driving at slow speeds. One is the electric motor whine, and the other is the pedestrian warning system. I've found that road & engine noise in both cars appears to be about the same.
     
  5. devprius

    devprius /dev/geek

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    I haven't tried mountain mode, and probably won't have time to try it out.
     
  6. Jeff N

    Jeff N The answer is 0042

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    I got a second charge after lunch at work. It gave me 10.5 miles EV at night in slow stop and go city streets and the first few miles on the freeway. After switching to gas I got 62 mpg in hybrid mode.
     
  7. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Yeah. F8L posted a video of Toyota's VPNS at 2012 Prius Vehicle Proximity Notification System (VPNS) - Video | PriusChat.
     
  8. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    You got 92.2 MPGe on electricity and 36.5 MPG on gas.

    12.9 kWh (per charge) / 35.3 miles = 0.3654 kWh/mi
    33.7 kWh (gallon equiv) / 0.3654 kWh/mi = 92.2 MPGe

    15.7 gas miles / 0.43 gallon = 36.5 MPG
     
  9. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    PiP with smaller battery benefits a lot from those multiple charging opportunities. That's on top of the already most efficient gas engine, which do not have the burden to carry heavier battery pack.

    Some hassle but the result/reward is well worth it, IMHO.
     
  10. Jeff N

    Jeff N The answer is 0042

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    On the other hand, 15.7 gas miles / total 123 mpg = .4146 gallons of gas.

    15.7 / .4146 = 37.87 gas mpg

    Does the EPA publish a kWh number for a full charge of the PiP? I haven't seen an EPA number. The 3.0-3.2 number we have been using comes from individual owners based on ChargePoint records and other metering. ChargePoint records for my 2011 Volt are typically 11.75 - 12.33 the last time I checked.
     
    John Hatchett likes this.
  11. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Really love this idea/experiment guys. What a good way to expand the knowledge base with some real-life experience. Since there's good Prius content and the information is of use to the Prius community and this is, after all, a Prius forum, I'm going to move the thread to the PIP forum.
     
    usbseawolf2000 likes this.
  12. Jeff N

    Jeff N The answer is 0042

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    On this morning's commute I got 12.1 EV-only miles. I forgot again to check the trip segment total mpg before I started charging and it got zeroed out.

    Overall, I've driven 343.7 miles with around 96 or 27% of those miles on battery in EV mode. My total combined EV+gas mpg is 90. The total battery energy used is about 21 kWh.

    That works out to about 25 kWh / 100 miles after including 15% in charging overhead. That's the same as I get in my Volt in the same weather and climate control conditions.
     
  13. John H

    John H Senior Member

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    I suspect when devprius gets over the thrill of real EV he will settle down and get closer to 126MPGe. :)

    45miles on a 12kWh charge.
     
  14. drinnovation

    drinnovation EREV for EVER!

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    A week might not be enough time to settle down, took me more than a month.. a little freedom at the cost of a few electrons is hard to resist.
     
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  15. Jeff N

    Jeff N The answer is 0042

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    I should have been more clear in my original description. I was describing just the motor and drivetrain whir which is clearly distinguishable from the pedestrian noise maker.

    Motor and gear noise has been a challenge for electric car makers since the cars are otherwise so quiet at slower speeds. The EV-1 and Tesla Roadster have a rather noisy electric drivetrain. The Volt and Model S are very quiet. The whir on the PiP seems noticeably louder to me although it doesn't bother me.

    It's been too long since I last drove a LEAF for me to remember the drivetrain noise level but I know some people have mentioned hearing it at highway speeds.

    In all cases, the equivalent gas engine noise would be clearly louder along with the vibration etc.
     
  16. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

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    Thanks guys, great experiment!
    I very much appreciate the time you both are taking in doing this.
     
  17. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    EPA said, PiP uses 3.2 kWh and 0.3 gallons to go 25 miles. So that's a full charge.

    Regarding Volt recharged kWh, will your OnStar report show the actual number?
     
  18. John H

    John H Senior Member

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    This is not Jeff's Volt but some recent full charges on my 2012 are:

    Total Charge Time Charge Result kW-hr
    3 hours 34 minutes Full 11.29
    3 hours 36 minutes Full 11.42
    3 hours 38 minutes Full 11.48
    3 hours 36 minutes Full 11.38
    3 hours 35 minutes Full 11.25
    3 hours 35 minutes Full 11.26
     
  19. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    He is getting about 92 MPGe on electric miles and 37-38 MPG on gas miles.

    What's the point if we ignore one fuel to boost the fuel efficiency figure of another?

    That's like saying Jeff N is getting 480 MPGe with PiP. There is no point in rolling gas miles into electricity efficiency and vice versa. Separate the two fuels and report both (unless it is BEV). There should be nothing to hide.
     
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  20. John H

    John H Senior Member

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    I was referencing just the electric portion. 45 miles on 12kWh would yield 126MPGe for electric miles.

    devprius would have to use mountain mode to do EV stacking on the Volt.