2 Trip Pairs, With/Without Emphasis on EV

I understand the physics of EV being less efficient than ICE because of conversion losses. However, it would appear that how you get the battery charge may tilt the balance one way or the other. I made two trip pairs, the first of each pair "just driving" where a fair amount of EV was selected by the computer, the second of each pair I encouraged the computer to select EV and sometimes accelerated slower and went slower than the speed limit to stay in EV. The trips are in 40 to 45 mph zones so you would expect good mpg and some amount of EV operation.

I live near the top of a hill, the first mile of a trip nicely charges the HV battery 2 to 4 bars depending on where it started. The return trip does much the same with the ICE running at 2400 RPM and 90% or more Engine Load.

1st Trip Pair:
1st Trip: Start with SOC 5 bars, drive 14 miles, display 57.8 mpg, end SOC 5 bars.
2nd Trip: Start with SOC 5 bars, drive 14 miles, display 70.7 mpg, end SOC 5 bars.

2nd Trip Pair:
1st Trip: Start with SOC 5 bars, drive 5.5 miles, display 56.4 mpg, end SOC 6 bars.
2nd Trip: Start with SOC 6 bars, drive 5.5 miles, display 73.5 mpg, end SOC 5 bars.
Yes, EV did cost 1 bar, easily made up the next time down the hill.

My conclusion is "Use EV when its convenient it will have a positive effect on mpg" This should be true for moderate speeds in areas with some hills or "pulse and EV" in flat areas.

 

Actually its two pairs of driving samples
It certainly doesn't support the "EV will ruin your mpg" theory. I don't see how running these same tests 10 times is likely to change the results. Its pretty obvious how things are going as you make each trip.

 

That is Exactly what I wanted to prove! Intelligent use of EV operation will increase MPG. So you agree with my results and both tests (2 times the same route) were Scientifically Valid.

Note: This is encouragement of EV with gas pedal operation. It does not mean, or use, the EV mode button.

 

Unfortunately the amount of time you spend at signals, not using any gas, affects the average speed. As I remember the "encourage EV" was actually a little faster average mph but only about 1 mph so that wouldn't make much difference.

The main idea behind this experiment was to argue against the "avoid EV" warning often expressed. Yes there are conversion losses but they can be compensated for by charging the battery when the ICE is running at good efficiency which will be especially true during acceleration or going up hill in moderate speed limit areas. In higher speed limit areas EV isn't really a choice if you want to maintain the higher speeds.

What I call "pulse and EV" is clearly less efficient than "pulse and glide" but it does improve mpg and it allows a more conventional speed pattern.