EV switch right application

I'm interested in this too - I would think that would be true - I mean the engine will be running a little more than usual simply to warm up - and will likely generate extra energy to charge the battery in the process. I just ordered by EV kit from coastal tech, and was thinking it would be ideal for short trips around town between my usual long commutes where the battery typically gets charged up all the way.

 

I believe the car tries to use the battery as much as possible during warm-up, theoretically to keep the load off a cold engine. I believe this because as I drive through my subdivision with my motor running in the morning, I watch the battery bars drop. It is clearly in EV mode with the engine running.

If you start out in the purple, I would assume the engine will pick up the slack. However, since I believe Toyota is trying to keep the load off the engine when it's cold, I would also think adding a load would reduce your gas mileage and increase your emissions. For that reason I do not deplete my battery more than halfway at the end of a trip.

EV switches are not usually good for 'trips', unless they are very short. The best uses are shutting down your engine when you enter your subdivision at the end of your trip, or to shut off the engine when you are driving across a parking lot or waiting in a fast-food line. I have used it for a full trip, but the trip was only a block or two long.

You should really think of an EV switch as a way to keep your mileage from DROPPING under certain circumstances, rather than a method of raising it.

I love my EV switch, but it has nothing to do with gas savings. I love the control it gives me over unnecessary use of the engine, but mostly I love impressing my neighbors and co-workers...

 

The reason I'm getting the coastal one is b/c I have a 2006 and this post
http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=14252&hl=ev+mod
says the OEM switch won't work. If you have a '04 or '05, I'm not sure which one is best. I like the idea of having the switch on the cruise control bar that the coastal one has, instead of the button. Seems like easier access. My honda had the cruise on/off switch where the EV button should be and I found it very inconvenient.

 

Maggie,

I am also considering the EV switch. I can only share my reasoning, but no experience to back it up:

When the ICE is running to heat up, the power not sent to the wheels is sent to the battery. So the losses are related to transfer to battery and out, rather than ICE use per se. If you start the day at four bars, and go up to seven, or if you start at 2 bars and go up five, I don't see the difference.

HOWEVER, if your warmup leads to a full battery before the ICE is finished, then the ICE extra power output is wasted to heat, with no where to go.

I live at the top of a hill, and often spend most of my first 10 minutes driving downhill, so I see the full battery very often, and almost daily in the winter. So I think the EV switch will be helpful in draining the battery at the end of the day.

 

If I understand your post -- yes, if you are are reaching a full battery before warmup is complete, an EV switch makes sense (I think).

 

Two people without EV switches telling each other the best way to use it... :blink:

 

I've found the cruise control arm to be quite convenient since it is immediately at my fingertips and I do not have to take my hand completely off the wheel to engage it.

I'm not sure the same applies to the OEM switch, but for the Coastal version I recommend two things: small fingers and a warm place to do the install. Beyond that it was pretty straightforward (and of course mildly stressful).

Performance-wise, I see exactly what you are hoping to see... a quick recharge of the battery a short time into my trip following a generous use of EV. On my way home from work, I EV my way from the top of my hill, along my street, and down my driveway (around .4 mile). I can typically return to that point in EV mode if I'm careful about not asking too much up the gradual incline and then enjoy a generous coast down the hill while riding the brake slightly to recharge and to avoid hitting 34 mph. I then round the corner and go a short way until I really need to get up to speed. All-in-all, I get around 1.5 miles on EV. I'm typically back up to 6 bars within the first 5 minutes of driving before I get off Rt. 190 and onto Rt. 2.

My way to the office off of Rt. 495 is pretty similar where I try to bleed off bars (I usually have all but 1 bar green at this point -- and have had all green twice before) while not on the highway.

Hope this helps.

 

Two reasons: (1) Greed. I want to stay in EV for one more street before having to get up to speed w/ local traffic. (2) I'd rather stay in D anyways to have greater control. I don't see any reason to jump into N just to have to jump back.