EV vs Hybrid Driving

BFD,
When I thought I might not be able to charge the PIP at work, I had a plan to plug-in at the company next door.
The only inconvience was the short walk across the parking lot.

 

A bouncy ride is due to worn shocks. The tire flex is too fast to cause a 'bounce' but higher tire pressure does pass on smaller bumps like speed bumps. However, hitting speed bumps at faster speeds lets the shocks handle a larger fraction of the impulse load and softens the effect. Running the maximum sidewall pressure 52 psi, I find the car is more controllable as the steering is precise and braking is improved.

Let me suggest you do an experiment over a holiday or weekend:

• pump up the tires to maximum sidewall pressure
• drive a route that includes deliberate, significant steering, braking, and speed bumps
• drop pressure 5 psi, repeat route

This will give you direct feedback on the effects of tire pressure on handling. This is what I did when we first got our Prius.

Bob Wilson

 

This is a trick used by autocross drivers who don't have dedicated tires to swap.

As for EV vs HV driving, I was fascinated for the first 1,000 miles or so, but I just "drive it" nowadays.
The only optimization I use for my ~20 miles commute each way is to leave about 1.5 mile of EV power left for after exiting the freeway.

If the EV/HV button was implemented as a paddle shifter switch, it may be more interesting. I keep hitting the A/C button by mistake when I reach down there.

 

that's the great thing about the shifter mod, gets it out of the way and makes it easier to keep your finger on the button.

 

Can something be done to improve the tactile feel so it is easier to identify?

Bob Wilson

 

i asked homeland security, they recommended duct tape.

 

Admittedly I rarely drive in hybrid mode but today I had to make Two 50 mile round trips into Boston and back.
I was able to fully charge 3 times but on the return trip back which is net uphill I was all hybrid.
Was shocked that most of the 5 minute increments showed 70mpg or better, in fact my overall ended up being 65 mpg.

I had thought 53 was the best you could expect. I'll add that I can't stand driving the highway in "Eco" so it was "Power" all the way

 

All the "Power" button does is change the feel of the throttle; that is, the power demand vs. throttle travel curve. It doesn't actually effect the "economy" or total power available.

 

Technically, it does affect it, since ECO mode adjusts HVAC behavior as well, but not sure how big the impact is (or if it's even noticeable).

 

I think you notice it a little bit on really hot days. And obviously you notice it during the winter. It works much harder to shut the engine off.

 

I've owned my 2012 PIP now for about a month, commute daily approximately 55 miles into NYC from Putnam County NY. Yesterday on one overnight charge, with careful but not terribly slow, 20 mile local and 80 mile highway driving I was able to achieve 68 MPG (see attached screen shot). Is this about as good as I'll get? View attachment 54104

 

It is in my opinion - all the tricks in the world can't budge the MPG much on such a long drive.
I'd say 60 mpg x 85 of those miles with 15 miles EV = 71 mpg would be about perfect

hope your weekend driving pattern makes the PiP worthwhile for you

 

If you charge only once a day, that's very good. You can raise your EV ratio by charging it twice. You can't change your commute distance. What matters is the efficiency of each fuel in term of Wh/mi for electricity and MPG for gasoline.

The attachment is not opening. Can you provide a screenshot of your EV Driving Ratio screen?

 

Yup. Even only MPG in the 60's from nothing but nightly charging and long commutes is impressive. Being effortless to achieve that clean & efficient outcome is great. Just drive it.

The competition craves a profitable platform so simple & practical it will draw in the masses. Look at what Ford & Honda are pursuing with their plug-in hybrids.

 

Here you go, thank you for the response.