1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Eficiency Scenario Query

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Fuel Economy' started by PhilCase, May 20, 2005.

  1. PhilCase

    PhilCase New Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2005
    43
    0
    0
    Location:
    Springfield, MO
    Hello all, 1st time newbie poster here.

    Before my question, a quick public thanks to Evan who gave up the heart of a day earlier this week to give me a rather comprehensive introduction to the Prius. It's a shame Toyota doesn't have a referral program for new purchases.

    A Scenario:

    I live 1.5 miles from my workplace, level roads between. Speed limits along the path are 30 MPH.

    I've seen claims that EV mode can have a range of to 2-3 miles. For the sake of this question let's assume that the 1.5 miles between my home and workplace is within the range of EV mode assuming a full SOC.

    Given that the ICE will not warmup to most efficient operating modes in the distance of my short commute (less than 5 minutes), is driving one leg of the commute (say mornings) in all EV mode more or less efficient than driving that leg with a cold ICE? (Let's also assume that the battery is charged during a driving session where the ICE was warm).

    Any thoughts/instincts on this scenario?
     
    #1 PhilCase, May 20, 2005
  2. IsrAmeriPrius

    IsrAmeriPrius Progressive Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2004
    4,333
    7
    0
    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PhilCase\";p=\"91206)</div>
    Ride a bicycle ;) .
     
    #2 IsrAmeriPrius, May 20, 2005
  3. Ray Moore

    Ray Moore Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2004
    857
    52
    0
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    My instinct says that savings in a 1.5 mile commute are negligible. Impact on the battery in the course of a year are measurable. I would not bother. Your commute is so short that you would not consume 13 as much as me even if you drove a hummer. Driving the Prius at 25 MPG for a 3 mile round trip will use only a pint per day. At this point, if you could double that, you would save a gallon of gas every 16 days. What is that, 15 cents per day?
     
    #3 Ray Moore, May 20, 2005
  4. gschoen

    gschoen Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2004
    343
    3
    0
    Location:
    Chicago/Wrigleyville
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    In most cases the EV button is for fun, quiet operation, whatever. Most people won't get a mileage benefit, but a few could.

    In your case for such a short commute the only way to tell would be to try it. Likely there'd be little difference.

    So if you get the button, for fun you could try both ways and see what's better. But you'll likely not get the gas savings to make up fro the cost of the button.
     
    #4 gschoen, May 20, 2005
  5. PhilCase

    PhilCase New Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2005
    43
    0
    0
    Location:
    Springfield, MO
    I agree with all the various points made above, but my curiosity re the root question remains--- Does anyone know definatively (or think they know) how the efficiencies compare between using EV vs a cold ICE, assuming the charge for the batteries came from a warm ICE?

    IOW which is worse, cold ICE performance or the inefficiencies introduced by battery storage?
     
    #5 PhilCase, May 22, 2005
  6. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2004
    4,147
    19
    0
    some where along the line your going to burn gas to keep the battery charged. There is no free lunch and in 1.5 miles your never going to get it warm enought to even replenish the thermous never mind charge the battery full. This is probably a case for an Echo.
     
    #6 Frank Hudon, May 22, 2005
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)