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Keeping the car in full electric mode

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by 100 mph, Mar 7, 2014.

  1. 100 mph

    100 mph Junior Member

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    One of my pet peeves about the Prius Plug-in is that the car won't stay in full electric mode under hard acceleration. Has anyone heard about any mods to keep the car in pure electric propulsion?
     
  2. -1-

    -1- Don

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    :)"Ain't" going to happen. Steady as she goes. Aye, Aye, Captain. For me hard acceleration would be a rare exception and I would want the ICE to assist.
     
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  3. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    PHV is Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle. Expect Hybrid behavior.
     
  4. Astolat

    Astolat Member

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    Our European version of the PiP has EV-City instead of PWR as the third mode. Makes it even harder to turn the ICE on through acceleration, but at the cost of very sluggish acceleration over 35mph
     
  5. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    As others have said, you bought a hybrid, expect the engine to turn on sometimes.

    Also, I hope you are leasing because you are probably shortening the life of the battery if you are routinely accelerating hard in EV.
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i suppose you could tinker around with the wiring to achieve this, at the expense of the battery. but properly programmed, it might not hurt it too much. judging by your moniker tho...
     
  7. jfschultz

    jfschultz Active Member

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    Given his moniker, he should get a Lexus GS450H or a Testla.
     
  8. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    You have 38 kW power from the battery.
     
  9. Ian Mayo

    Ian Mayo Junior Member

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    I suppose you could put a wooden block under the accelerator pedal.

    I had had hire cars during your 55 MPH national limit days with a metal bracket welded to the pedal to limit its movement preventing high acceleration and speed.
     
  10. Jeff N

    Jeff N The answer is 0042

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    It's mostly about the size of the battery. As usbseawolf2000 noted, Toyota has decided they can only draw a peak of 38 kW (about 50 hp) from the 4.4 kWh battery so the rest of any power demand needs to come from the gas engine.

    A Chevy Volt can draw up to 111 kW (149 hp) from its 16-16.5 kWh battery which is about 3.7 times larger in capacity so it never has to start the gas engine for power demand reasons.

    The Ford Energi models are in the middle and, from what I can recall, can draw approximately 67 kW (about 90 hp) from their 7.6 kWh pack so the Energi can support an "EV now" mode button that keeps the engine off under almost all circumstances but it causes the car to drive like a gutless mid-1970's econobox (Ford Pinto) at freeway speeds.
     
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    so, no mods available?
     
  12. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    (1) Unbolt license plates;
    (2) Remove PiP;
    (3) Exchange in a Leaf, or Volt, or Tesla, or ...
    (4) Re-bolt license plates.
     
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  13. JamesBurke

    JamesBurke Senior Member

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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    golf cart mode.
     
  15. ukr2

    ukr2 Senior Member

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    Many of us wouldn't mine the PIP going into HV mode on accidental acceleration, as long as it wouldn't stay in HV while it Warms Up. I'd like a button to Skip Warmup and go back to EV mode.
     
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  16. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Please read in many other threads about engine knocking and rattling if you don't let it do its full cycle.
     
  17. mindmachine

    mindmachine Member

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    I got to say all this tinkering, buy a Lexus GS350 or a Lexus GS450h and get all the acceleration you would ever want and more luxury by far than the PIP. If you buy a Prius Plugin then you want economy and low carbon footprint. The two goals are vastly different!
     
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i think the o/p is hip deep into his dashboard right now.:p
     
  19. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

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    Perhaps GM had it right, in not using the term hybrid, after all?
     
  20. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Mod is available for the driver with adjustment of expectation.

    Use EV mode for city driving and use HV for highway. Make the best use of both the battery and gas.

    I did exactly that and my first year averaged 132 MPGe on electric miles and 56 MPG on gas. Remember, these are fuel economy, not gas consumption.

    They used to mean the same but not anymore in vehicles that use two fuels. My gas consumption was 100 MPG (electric miles added and ignored electricity usage).

    I had instances where gas engine came on due to acceleration or cold temp or cabin heater. What matters is the end result. Both power sources are set up to boost each other's efficiency.

    My first year average included weekday 2 miles trips (with 5-6 stop lights). Some weekends drives had about 100 miles trip. Also 1,000+ miles trip to Canada.

    A regular Prius wouldn't get 56 MPG with that many short trips (engine warmup penalty). Nor would I be able to average 132 MPGe with Leaf (highway miles and winter drivings) or make that Canada trip.

    The end result for me was the best of both EV and HV worlds without having to buy/insure two cars. For me, focusing on a specific situation where one of the fuel was used when instead of the other, just seem silly and missing the big picture. Again, understand the design, mod the expectation and the result should not dissapointed.
     
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