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

Running on electric only?

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by David Warshaw, Jan 28, 2013.

  1. David Warshaw

    David Warshaw Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2013
    9
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Curious... does anyone take short (less than five mile), low speed (less than 30MPH) on electric only? Would doing so have any impact on battery life or other system issues? My understanding is that even if in electric only, the gas engine would start if the battery got too low, so there's no chance of getting stuck. Just wonder if I could really be gas-free for short trips to the store.
     
  2. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,245
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    When engine is cold, it will always come on to warm itself up, so EVing to store is not doable.

    With warm engine, the concensus is don't try too hard for EV. If your cruising the neighborhood at 25 MPG or so and getting EV, enjoy it, but don't accelerate extra slow to keep it EV'ing. Just drive normally.
     
  3. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,871
    2
    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Short trips never do it for me, but if I have been doing 55 for 55 miles and slow to 30, I can often stay in EV when cruising, for almost a mile.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,144
    50,057
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    get a pip.
     
  5. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2012
    3,760
    1,680
    0
    Location:
    Sanford, NC
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    To run it out of the garage to wash it at 5MPH with the heater off. Yes. Beyond that, no.
     
  6. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2009
    1,302
    295
    0
    Location:
    California - SF Bay area
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    If you don't have a Plug-In then it is counter productive to try to run in pure electric mode It takes more gas to charge the traction battery than it takes to run on gas.
     
  7. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,245
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I don't have a v, but mine, if warmed up will EV quite a bit at lower steady speeds (lot at 25, some at 30 something, teeny bit at 40)

    I'm kinda concerned that a lot of people think and expect Hybrid Synergy Drive to EV on command. No, just enjoy it when you get it and drive smoothly and normally.