What Exactly does EV Auto Do?

it decides for you, the most efficient way to use ev vs hv. there are no data details, because every trip is different.
however, it cannot foretell what you are planning in your head, or road/traffic conditions. so, it's just a feature for people who don't want to decide for themselves.
it won't be as efficient as a good driver with prime experience.

 

The word "exactly" in your question makes it hard (impossible) to give a good answer.
Prime owners can give you a general answer based on their experiences but even they don't know "exactly".

 

I like your reference to us as "Primers".

 

I use EV Auto when I know that I am going on a trip that is longer than my EV range. This way the Prime makes the decision when to use hybrid mode when it thinks that is more efficient, for example when going up a steep long hill. If I know I can get to a charger with the range left I switch to EV to be sure to take advantage of EV driving.

 

I figure I paid for it, I'm gonna let it do all the work and then not worry that I might have missed an additional percent of efficiency.

 

prime evil.

you won't see it if you don't select it. it is a mode selection: ev/ ev auto/ hv/ hv charge

 

EV auto is a power thing, not an efficiency thing. It recruits the engine when needed in high power situations, like passing.

 

okay, i can't answer that one, since i don't own one. but my feeling is, if you start the car and press ev auto, the engine is going to go through the warm up phase so it's ready to go when needed.
then it will probably use throttle pressure to decide when hv is needed, such as going uphill or higher acceleration.
if you use it on your regular commute, idk if the 'learning' feature might apply.

 

Being an Energi owner with a very similar design, there is no definitive answer. It just depends on numerous variables: battery SOC, battery temp (big factor), ambient temps, load (uphill, flooring it), etc. Nice weather, full batt, level ground, it will go to 84mph full throttle in EV but it will take awhile since EV is slower than hybrid mode.

Back to your <50mph scenario, EV AUTO should stay in EV nearly 100% of the time unless one or more of the above variables is surpassed. You can go for weeks without burning gas but eventually the software will run the ICE to both condition the oil and use up the gas before it goes bad.

 

Like the PiP, there is multiple variables that could trigger the ICE. The bigger battery just make them less likely.

 

EV is always more efficient. 133 mpge vs 55 mpg (or whatever).

 

I'll try that if I can remember. My guess is the engine stays off though.

 

why would ev auto try to stay in ev? you have ev mode for that. i could be wrong, but i think it would try to do whatever is most efficient.

the new pacifica phev is basically ev auto all the time. i hope it doesn't just use up the ev, then switch to hv.

 

Why would it NOT ????
If the power you are using comes from the grid instead of from gasoline, the assumption is that it is much less expensive.

Some people prefer to leave the settings alone and JUST DRIVE THE CAR. (A lot really I suspect.)
Thus, EV Auto.

 

the people who programmed the car don't know what the fuel costs are, where and when the car is being used.
they have to decide what driving circumstances are more efficient for each type of motive power.

if all it did was use up ev then switch to hv, you wouldn't need it because that how the car works by default.

 

Oh here we go again.
You think you know more than the scientists and engineers that built the thing.
Give it a rest please.
Hint: You don't.