Plug-In Prius: real winter driving

We do tend to get a few -20F below and one to two -30 below every year. Does not make it any easier when it comes tho!

 

It still uses the pack more than your prior Prii, though right? By running lower RPMs, other things being equal, and getting assist from MG2?

 

It was -39 with the windchill here yesterday. I suppose after a certain temperature, fuel economy isn't as much of a concern as keeping warm.

 

At -39 deg F, I will be glad that the heater is running with waste heat from the gas engine.

 

went to work this morning at 7 am with my trusty dusty Eddie Bauer Winter coat and gloves. No seat heaters, no climate control, no defrost, 15 degrees on Scan Gauge II Fwt. Went a maximum of 16 MPH No ICE cubes.

 

I think the PiP is really protecting the battery at these temperatures.

Winter really kicked-in this morning. Today I started the PiP at -25°C (-13°F), -34°C with windchill (-29.2F). My commute is 15.7 miles, mostly highway. The ICE started as soon as I pressed the Start button. I had to wait a couple of minutes to melt the ice frozen on the windshield inside the car. (Yesterday's condensation froze during the night)


Then, when I reached the highway, the car could not use EV mode at all, even when I released the accelerator. In fact, at some point I realised that the car was not even in EV-Boost mode. The energy arrows were going TO the batteries instead of FROM the batteries. The car reacted like if I was in HV mode. (And I assure you it was not the case)

When I got out of the highway, EV power became available again but was underpowered. On my return trip, temperature has risen to -18°C (0°F). But same story: EV was not strong enough to be used on the highway. (But I managed to trigger the EV-Boost mode at some point) I used my last remaining EV mile on the last street of my commute just before I got in my driveway. (That mean I managed to use my last EV mile only after 31.4 miles since I can't charge at work) I usually do not have much EV miles remaining on my return trip.

I did a 51 MPG trip today. My worst mileage ever with the PiP. But at least, the battery was spared by the PiP.

 

I think getting 51 mpg in that cold of a temperature for 32 miles is amazing!

 

you guys are scaring me.

 

BOO!

 

probably thought you were going to turn into popcicles.

 

I lived in Rochester NY while attending College. Unbearable cold Winters with the lake effect. Unbearable.

 

builds character.

 

or big sno men, or sno wo men

 

or sno kitties.

 

aw

 

Did you have the cabin heater going?

PHV battery warms up by drawing air in the cabin.