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EV Mode worth it for me?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by hobbes49, Mar 2, 2009.

  1. hobbes49

    hobbes49 New Member

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    I am trying to decide if it's worth the effort/warranty issues to get an EV mode switch. Our grocery store and most of the local take-out restaurants where I live are about a mile away. It's a flat road with a few stop lights, and top speed would be 30-35mph. Whether it's lunch or evening (think car being off for 2-4 hours) I make on average one of these trips a day.

    Would I be able to make these round-trips in EV mode? If so, I thought it would be worth it, as obviously these trips normally put a kink in my MPG. I can stay under 34mph, just didn't know if at some point at the beginning or end if the ICE would kick in.

    Thanks in advance.
     
    #1 hobbes49, Mar 2, 2009
  2. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Being a mile away each way, imo, won't let you make the full trip. For me, I use EV mainly to move the car around from the driveway to the street and back, maybe move around a parking lot to go from one store to the next etc. But trying to make a 2 mile trip only in EV will not really work. And even if you did the battery would be so drained at the end of the trip the engine would have to work hard just to replenish all that lost energy next time you run the vehicle.
     
    #2 Paradox, Mar 2, 2009
  3. avocadoman1

    avocadoman1 Member

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    depends if there's a way to regenerate the battery, possibly via a "pulse & glide" technique.

    for me, i go downhill for the first 3/4 mile in the morning. the battery is in constant regeneration during the 1st 8 minutes while i'm in EV mode.
     
    #3 avocadoman1, Mar 2, 2009
  4. hobbes49

    hobbes49 New Member

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    That was my thought. I would do P&G, also there are 3-4 stoplights in between, so if I got stuck at one or two of them there would be some regen there as well.
     
    #4 hobbes49, Mar 2, 2009
  5. OldYogi

    OldYogi New Member

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    Paradox has it right -- I too thought I might use it to get to the grocery store, but it won't get me there, let alone back again. I use it in the parking garage near my office. At current prices you could fill the tank 3 times for the cost of the switch. It is fun, though.
     
    #5 OldYogi, Mar 2, 2009
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