EV vs Hybrid Driving

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by dwcerra, May 19, 2012.

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  1. dwcerra

    dwcerra New Member

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    I'm just wondering what are some of the general guidlines in the best way to max mpg in my new Prius Plug-In. Typically I have a about 90mile round trip commute to/from work a day. I live approx 4 miles to the closest freeway enterance and I work approx 4 miles from my freeway exit. What I've been doing is using EV mode to & from the freeway & then switching to Hybrid mode by turning off the EV mode manually while on the freeway. That means I do about 16miles of OFF freeway driving of course. Is this the best stratedgy? Should I just leave it in EV mode since it automatically switches to Hybrid mode when approching around 35-40mph or at higher rpms? Just trying to get the best bang for the buck.
     
    #1 dwcerra, May 19, 2012
  2. iRun26.2

    iRun26.2 New Member

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    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).
     
    #2 iRun26.2, May 19, 2012
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it doesn't switch to hybrid mode automatically until 62 mph.
     
    #3 bisco, May 19, 2012
  4. 9G-man

    9G-man Senior Member

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    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.
     
    #4 9G-man, May 19, 2012
  5. iRun26.2

    iRun26.2 New Member

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    Unless you run out of EV...
     
    #5 iRun26.2, May 19, 2012
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    in which case it switches no matter your speed.
     
    #6 bisco, May 19, 2012
  7. dwcerra

    dwcerra New Member

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    The most I've gotten has been 64mpg but that only happend once. It's usually been averaging in the mid 50's mpg combined city/hwy
     
    #7 dwcerra, May 19, 2012
  8. dwcerra

    dwcerra New Member

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    Unfortunately I can't charge at work but I have submitted a request for a charging station or at least access to a 110v out outside. There are several electric & hybrid cars in the parking lot.
     
    #8 dwcerra, May 19, 2012
  9. dwcerra

    dwcerra New Member

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    I noticed that the hybrid engine will kick on at speeds much lower than 62mph but that's usually going up grade or during a fast acceleration from a stop.
     
    #9 dwcerra, May 19, 2012
  10. dwcerra

    dwcerra New Member

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    The most I've gotten has been 64mpg but that only happend once. It's usually been averaging in the mid 50's mpg combined city/hwy
     
    #10 dwcerra, May 19, 2012
  11. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    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.
     
    #11 john1701a, May 20, 2012
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  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    could be your route or peraps you have climate control on?
     
    #12 bisco, May 20, 2012
  13. ukr2

    ukr2 Senior Member

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    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.
     
    #13 ukr2, May 20, 2012
  14. 9G-man

    9G-man Senior Member

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    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.
     
    #14 9G-man, May 20, 2012
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  15. dwcerra

    dwcerra New Member

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    I typically beging work at 5am so I'm one of the 1st ones in the parking lot so I can park right up next to the building. Unfortuntely the windows in the bilding do no topen. It's some modified concrete tilt up building. There are plenty of places where they can put a power plug on the outside. I received communication from the director of our site and and he assured me it would be under review this year and thanked me for my question. I really hope they do because that would def help.
     
    #15 dwcerra, May 21, 2012
  16. dwcerra

    dwcerra New Member

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    When I drive in my regular cars I typically go around 75-80mph. I'm not sure where your located but my commute goes from South Orange County to N. San Diego County along the coast all the way and about 1/2 of that the freeway goes through the Marine Base Camp Pendleton. There are vertually no on/off ramps for a good 15miles so if you don't basically go at leat 75 -80 people literally fly by you as if your standing still. I have modified my driving and now have been prob averaging around 70mph I'd guess. I keep reading conflicting results, some say start out my commute in HV mode to warm up the engine then switch to EV till I hit the freeway...then back to HV...(also HV for any inclines while on the side streets). Other's say it's better to start an accelleration briskly then glid a bit while in EV mode as apposed to a continuous gentile acceleration. I'll have to keep trying different things and try to figure out that sweet spot to get max MPG. Thanks for your advise :)
     
    #16 dwcerra, May 21, 2012
  17. dwcerra

    dwcerra New Member

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    So your saying that if I'm on side streets and in EV mode I should accellerate briskly then take advantage of gliding if possible....If I accellerate quick enough the HV engine kickes in and saves EV until I let off the acceleration. I'll have to try that on my commute this AM.
     
    #17 dwcerra, May 21, 2012
  18. iRun26.2

    iRun26.2 New Member

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    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.
     
    #18 iRun26.2, May 21, 2012
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  19. iRun26.2

    iRun26.2 New Member

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    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)
     
    #19 iRun26.2, May 21, 2012
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  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    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!
     
    #20 bisco, May 21, 2012
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