Is EV giving you bad driving habits?

I am driving for shortest trip time now. But I have a suggestion for uncharged Prime.

When 2-3 miles from your destination, put the car in CHARGE mode. Starting with 5-6% SOC, you can get the car on the next trip to warm-up while moving. This pays big dividends because CHARGE mode on a warmed engine is very efficient.

Bob Wilson

 

My Leaf has ruined me with all that torque. I was much more gentle with acceleration when I had an engine screaming if I went fast.

 

i spend so much time in ev in the pip, i've forgotten how to hyper mile. even pulse and glide doesn't come naturally like it used to in my 2008.

 

I don't think I've changed that much, but my HV economy in the PiP usually isn't what it should be because when I need it, it's usually only for 5 miles or less since EV covers most of my trip most of the time. But when I do make an HV drive around town of any distance, I generally get about 60-67 mpg. But I've only had it a little under three months.

 

It got really cold again dude !

Cold is the enemy of Prius Hv.

jp

 

Acceleration in EV mode from 40mpg and above is extremely slow. Slower than gasoline engine with no juice left in the battery.

 

40 mpG?

 

Can you clarify when you say charge on a warmed up engine is very efficient, what you are comparing the relative efficiency with?

Presumably it's a lot less cost effective than plugging in, assuming reasonable electricity pricing.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

1. Any load on a cold-soak, Prius engine is fuel inefficient, 2-3 miles until engine coolant reaches +40C. So big dividends from neighborhood speeds, 25 mph, with maximum use of "N".
2. It is hard, not impossible, to get under 52 MPG with a warmed up Prius engine because they are so efficient.

Use CHARGE mode on a warmed engine to put just enough to support the next start-up, 5-6%. At least that is what my experiments show.

Bob Wilson

 

Thanks. It does this in normal HV mode by the sound of it?

Conversely, have you come to any conclusions as to parameters for choosing the best charge level for a long HV mode journey?

I'm thinking that a full charge might not be the best thing to start with, depending on the journey topography, as it does not leave any headroom for extended regen.

Or at least- with a full charge, start off in HV Auto or Euro equivalent and use up some charge to make some then headroom.

Any thoughts?

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

No charge is needed on a long HV mode trip.

To quote @John17-1a, 'Just drive the car' and don't worry about the SOC until the last 3-5 miles. Then put it in CHARGE mode long enough to get 5-6%. Later, you'll have enough to warm-up the engine to efficient levels BUT I would not turn down a free or affordable L2 charger.

When your business is done, use 'PlugShare' to find an L2 close to a place for a snack or meal. An hour later, you'll have about 40%, plenty of charge to handle reaching the Interstate.

Bob Wilson

 

a major factor is kWh cost vs petrol. if i never charged, i would save money. in fact, if i had a prime, i could force charge cheaper than plugging in.
and our power supplier is knocking on the governments door, looking for an increase.

 

Exactly. With my driving style, the 6.6 kwh only takes me 20 miles. I am charging $0.2/kwh at home, not putting tax and fees, surcharges, etc. in the equation yet. That's $6.6/100 miles.

Using pure gas, my mpg is about 48mpg. Costco gas is around $2.8/gallon. That's $5.83/100 miles.

Bottom line is: charging the car does not make financial sense at all.

 

unless..........your landlord charges you $15.00/mo for the use of his electricity (that's what mine charges) and that amount was based on what my 2012 PIP accumulated, approximately one charge per night with a fully depleted battery for a month. Now, since the parking lot rebuild the outlet next to my parking spot is on 24 hours a day (before it was on a photocell when the parking lot lights came on)

 

You really have to calculate the cost per mile and then choose. Our plug-in are the ultimate flex fuel vehicles but I am sympathetic to those with excessive electrical rates.

Bob Wilson

 

Bottom line is also: charging is much less expensive overall.

The cost to country & planet should be factored in too, not just the impact to an individuals wallet.

Give yourself credit for helping lead the way. Our children will pay less in the end.

 

I agree.

Also as previously discussed we Europeans pay a LOT more for petrol (gas) than you statesiders do.

At my night rate, 1 kWh at present costs less than 0.06 GBP.

So a 6.6kwh full charge costs less than 0.40 GBP.

One LITRE of petrol costs 1.15 GBP minimum at present and I could easily pay a lot more.

That's nearly three full charges for the price of 1 LITRE of fuel.

At 25 miles per full charge, that would equate in cost to 72.6 miles per litre, or about 330 miles per Imperial Gallon. Now if I were getting that kind of economy using petrol, I would be getting a fair bit of publicity wouldn't I?!

Plus, I am on a low carbon tariff from my electricity supplier.

Big wins here folks for Prius Plugin ownership!

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

That's a big reason why I installed solar.

 

agrred. if i had a better location, i would as well.