Why do I plug in?

you're way, way, way off. if you don't plug in, no way you're gonna get 2-300 mpg. try it and get back to us. unless you're paying more than .30 a kwh or so, you're better off plugging in.

 

I think you are assuming that in HV mode, if you stay in the ECO zone, you're on all electric. You aren't, the engine is just very quiet in that zone. You are probably getting 50-70 mpg in that mode. Great mileage, but still nowhere as efficient as plugging in.

 

If you are always driving short, 20-30mph trips you should get a NEV not a PiP.

 

After the EV battery depletes and it switches to HV, the Battery still has some energy. The ICE, after warmup, will stay off if you keep it to the left of the HV Bar until the Battery hit the bottom. Then the ICE starts to add enough energy to the battery to get it off the bottom.

 

If you putz around as gently in EV mode as you do in HV mode to keep the car in EV (less than 50% of the bar), you'll get way more than 16 miles. Retired499 got something like 30 miles once.
Sorry but physics is physics.

 

21.x I believe. Most of us think it is theoretically possible to hit 24 or 25 with all conditions being perfect.

 

There should be a "training wheels" mode in the PiP. For the first 2000 miles it only operates in HV with the usual computer selected EV/non-EV below 42 mph. That way you will learn how to effectively drive the PiP without charging, 45 mpg "just driving" or 50+ mpg with a little educated effort. After the 2000 miles, when you do plug-in you will truly appreciate the PiP. If you are a previous Prius owner or plead with the dealer the training wheels mode can be turned off (like the reverse beeps).

I owned a standard Prius for 5000 miles before purchasing the PiP. While that was the expensive way to get there it helped me understand the value of the PiP. And the experience helps me get good mileage on long trips.

 

haha, good idea! I definitely agree that owning a regular Prius first helps you with some of the more advanced hypermiling techniques that you can't do with any other car, including a regular Prius.

 

Fortunately for me, electricity is still inexpensive in this region of the country. I can get to work without using any gasoline at all, so it almost cut my fuel cost in half.

 

but why plug in when you can get to work on ev without the ice coming on?

 

I have.
Tested it on a one mile flat loop around school grounds @ 17-18mph - 26 miles max with full charge.

 

That's awesome. That would have taken you well over an hour.

 

I can't - one way to work is 14.3 miles.

 

Unless they are really fast roads then you should be able to get all the way there in warmer months.

 

I must have misunderstood what bisco was asking. I can and do make it to work completely on a charge. Plus I haven't noticed a spike in my electric bill since buying the thing in May.

 

I agree....I only use 10-15 bucks worth of electricity for the thing every month.

 

If you are happy doing this then continue and save your electric bill. with your range and speed plugging in for more range makes no sense, you do not need more range. I assume from time to time, your driving differs from your usual schedule and then it is worthwhile to plug in / in your case which cost more, Electricity or Gasoline. If electricity is cheaper then plugging in is alway cheaper and better. If the whole charge is not used today, it can be saved for tomorrow. the PIP is essentialy a Hybrid so propulsion is shared constantly with either the EV charge or the remaining basic charge that Gen 1,2 and 3 all have. And both EV sources are continually charging, not counting high speed or big hills. Its like a Bank account, if you dont accept this free deposit that your Bank gives you, then your balance will go down. Not plugging in on a regular basis depletes your overall potential causing the ICE to get busy. ( Two viewpoints in one Para. )

 

It was summer. I coach 10mos a year and the other 2 months I'm bored...
Had a big iced coffee along, only problem was needing to pee partway through

 

Thats exactly the problem! Bisco. Once I get to work, I dont have enough Ev to get back home.........so....I have to sleep at work........for 4 more days, until it is economically possible to splurge and use the ICE. You ever try sleeping in a solid waste plant?