EV vs Hybrid Driving

Your strategy sounds good to me. I'm curious about what mpg your are getting with your strategy.

You can always try different things, too. I have found that it best to use gas for accelerating (and EV for constant speeds).

 

it doesn't switch to hybrid mode automatically until 62 mph.

 

Can you charge at work?
If not you are doing about all you can do, by using your Ev range off the interstate.
Ev to Hv change over happens around 62 mph.
If you can charge at work then use on the interstate or elsewhere.

 

Unless you run out of EV...

 

in which case it switches no matter your speed.

 

Acceleration is the killer.

From a dead stop, you'll consume lots of electricity. A way to avoid that is to take advantage of the engine. If it's already warmed up, it will shut off immediately upon demand ceasing. If it's cold still, it will run until the coolant temperature reaches 130°F, then shut off automatically.

For steady cruising, electric-only driving is great. Watch the energy-bar. When it's low, you'll see that travel takes you further than the estimated distance. That's because it doesn't take much horsepower to maintain a constant speed, even if it's 60 mph.

 

could be your route or peraps you have climate control on?

 

dwcerra,

How far from a 110v outlet do you park?

I'm still waiting for my building owner to allow me to install an outlet. So I just toss an extension cord out the office window and plug in. I have a Kill-A-Watt for $20 to record my kwh used, if he wants me to cover the cost. Less than 50 cents per day for a full charge.

 

Honestly, that is not very good results for a PiP.
So back to your original question, what can you do to improve...

What speed are traveling on the interstate? Slow down to 65 or less and use the cruise control. It might mean getting out of the left lanes and into the right lanes, but life is good over there.

Pump your tires up to 40-42 PSI. it makes a difference.

In Ev mode, dont accelerate hard. Keep it out of the PWR band on HSI if you can. It sounds like you are not paying attention to how you are driving and causing the ICE to run unnecessarily.

If you are dealing with big hills, climb them in HV and then switch back to EV for the level and downhill.

In HV mode, learn how to get up to speed then lift off the gas and reapply, keeping the HSI below the centerline, instantaneous MPG at 100 MPG. The whole glide thing.

Anticipate turns, stops, lights and use as little braking as possible.

Read the GenIII gas mileage forum.

 

Very good advice! I think it really isn't that hard to improve the PiP's gas mileage. You can "just drive it" and get great gas mileage, but by better understanding what is going on, you can do a whole lot better.

 

Accelerating briskly in EV mode is the most inefficient uses of your EV battery charge. Accelerate in HV mode (with the engine warm) and THEN switch to EV mode.

(That is what I do)

 

if you're doing 75-80 on most of your commute, i'm not sure any strategy is going to help much and 50mpg's is probably pretty darn good!