Prime Total and Electric Range Question

I drive from Chino to Anaheim every day (60 then 57) then reverse - all in the carpool lane with dynamic cruise control. In the morning, there's the usual stop/go traffic (takes an average 45 minutes to drive) and I get there with battery only left over. On the reverse, I usually come home after the stop/go traffic (takes an average of 30 minutes to drive) and I will definitely run out and swap to gas/electric with another 5 miles to go.

Is this typical for everyone else - that if there's no stop/go traffic, the Prime will likely run out of juice? I assume it's because I'm driving at a higher speed.

 

That sounds reasonable. While the stop-and-go itself doesn't help, the lower speeds of such traffic often significantly boost MPG, compared to free flowing full speed conditions, on our older non-plugin Prii.

 

Yes, the battery lasts longer going at slower speeds (with stop and go to help recharge) than just going 65 (or 70) on the freeway.

 

it all depends, no question that lower speed eg 60mph uses less energy than 70mph, however, in my case of a 50 mile commute i go ~ 40 miles on EV incl ~31 miles on the fwy @ 67 w/DRCC (you can look "My EV range story". I'm chasing my commute hours to be after stop/go ... @James2012 you say "higher speed", unclear what that is, if you can try to not exceed 65-67 and see what difference that makes

 

from my experience on flat Houston roads if I hit the highway and go for posted speed + 5mph the E/v range falls below 30 - say 27-8 at 65mph+, but if take rural routes and can deploy some gliding below 50mph the E/v is in 33-35 miles range.
as All keep saying the E/v range really suffers at Highway speeds.
should I drive stretches beyond 30 miles I'd use HV for HVy driving.

 

Today I did some field test. Before the trip, the dashboard showed 27.8 miles.

Hit the hwy at 79 mph, EV mode: electricity ran out at 21 miles. Considering $0.2/kwh, the 6.6 kwh translates into 15.9 miles/$

Same distance at 79 mph after EV ran out: 51 MPG. Considering $2.8/gallon gas, it translates into 18.2 miles/$

 

Thanks for the confirmation guys... California drivers get angry when you go sub-70 when there is no traffic. lol

 

Some of us have noticed, even two states away. Though I had to cheer when one such tailgater finally blew around me -- one corner before the waiting speed enforcement (exiting Greenwater, on road back from Mt. Rainier National Park). She had absolutely no 'herd protection' whatsoever, and quickly learned why I had been obeying the posted limit the entire time.

 

Someone actually got pulled over for speeding ? Now that's a sighting !

I've noticed that lately, but have attributed to the high heat (upper 80's) and and the fact that it's cooler in the mornings.
Also my car has a black interior, and gets super hot in my employer's parking lot.

That air conditioner will drain the battery !

jp

 

In a number of the places I frequently travel, it is not at all unusual. Remember that if you are traveling out of state and notice yourself passing numerous cars with local plates.

 

High 80s is hot? Forecast for the Sacramento area for early next week: 108°F

 

Yeah but ours is the DRY heat... Theirs is the HUMID heat. You pick up several degrees for the damp feeling.

 

Let's compare our PIP (pain in posterior) weather stats in January, shall we?

 

The hottest I've ever felt was 99F and 85% humidity in Washington DC last year. That was far worse than 120F in Arizona.

 

I agree. In NJ, during the summer with humidity over 80% any temp over 80 is very uncomfortable. But when I was in Nevada, 100° was not a problem.