New Prius v owner and my first month's MPG.

So I bought a 2012 Prius v3 a month ago. I've probably read every post on these forums. Thank you guys so much for the info and stories.

Before you start reading this, I will refer to EV Mode as the white EV indicator on the left side of the dash display which indicates that the ICE is off. I call the EV Mode Button EV Mode Override.

Assumption 1:
The Bar graph on the left side of the dash display starts with a charge section that indicates regenerative braking, then there is a half way line, then there is the power section. This half way line is important when it comes to EV mode. Assuming temperature and battery requirements are met the car will operate in EV mode below the half way line below ~40MPH. I say ~40 MPH because at about 38 it becomes one bar below half way, at 43 you only get 2 or 3 bars before EV mode turns off.

Assumption 2:
With that said the only thing the EV Mode Override button does is allow you to pass the half way line and go up to the power line at or below 25 MPH. So faster acceleration in EV Mode until 25MPH. Also more strain on the electric motor.

My Commute:
35 Miles one direction.

2 Miles at 40 MPH (Use Battery)
5 Miles at 60 MPH (Charge Battery)
1 Mile at 35 MPH (Use Battery)
4 Miles at 60 MPH (Charge Battery)
1 Mile at 35 MPH (Use Battery, EV Override last 1 or 2 red lights to have a dead batt for the next charge)
11 Miles at 60 MPH (Charge Battery)
4 Miles at 15-40 MPH (Use Battery) (Traffic)
6 Miles at 45 MPH (Charge Battery)
1 Mile at 25 MPH (Use Battery)

The third leg of my trip used to be 1 mile at 45 MPH on a road that runs parallel, After trying back and forth between the two I noticed it's better to take the 35 MPH road. Now say for example the charge leg after it was only 2 miles then I wouldn't have a full charge for the next 1 mile and it probably wouldn't help.

Assumption 3:
Obviously using the Battery and then ICE charging the Battery cannot be 100% efficient. However, I think Using the Battery and then ICE propelling the car AND Charging the battery may be more efficient, this is what I'm not sure about. Is the Battery getting charged by "Unused" capacity or is the ICE able to add the load of the battery to its current load of propelling the car at a smaller cost with less overhead?

Are my assumptions correct?

 

Yea, good point. I am driving 70 Miles a day. I got the Prius because my Lincoln Navigator was eating my wallet, 42mpg is almost 3 times what I was getting. Now I just feel the need to make up for all the gas I used to burn.