Rav 4 Plug-in EV miles range versus real miles

[Rob Cherry]

I've been running this car for two weeks and although I am quite impressed, I do have an issue. I have learned that for my use, any trip over approx 10 mile I switch to HV mode. This nearly always retains my EV mileage and returns about 55-60mpg from ICE. That's great, BUT

when I drive in EV default for 10 mile journeys I can never get the EV mileage consumed to match the miles travelled. It's always worse by at least 20%. I have driven in Eco mode with A/C off but still fall short. Today for example I drove back from the Gym for 9 miles, a good percentage downhill so I achieved more than 4 miles/kWh but still lost the last 12 miles of EV.

What am I doing wrong?

[ernieb]

Your Toyota year year says '21 but you say you've been driving the car for 2 weeks. Is it a new car that you've had for 2 weeks? I found that my PHEV spent the first few weeks working out my driving style and recorded better, more accurate, information after I'd had the car for awhile. I've found that the last 5-10 miles of the expected range can be variable.  I've also found that how the right foot applies pressure to the accelerator and brake can make a significant difference to the EV range. When you look at the MyT hybrid coaching number what do they show, 90%+?

[Flatcoat]

to expect theoretical range to match real world range is a tad unrealistic. But like manufacturers claimed mpg figures with ICE cars - it is well known they are almost works of fiction. After 10,000 miles of driving in a wide range of styles and journeys I am typically getting around 85% mileage of the theoretical range. Sometimes more, sometimes less. My average miles/kw over that distance is 3.1 and with an approximate split of 60:40 EV:ICE use/distance. 

[ernieb]

I have ‘calculated’ that I get around the 45miles EV range over the year. Obviously less in the winter and more in the summer and I always use the heating or AC. My total average for miles/kWh is 3.4.

[Flatcoat]

Similar to you Ernie, can get about 49 miles on a good day this summer, compared with 42/3 miles in January. My miles/kw is from the outset so haven’t specifically checked summer range. My problem is when SWMBO drives with her lead feet….. totally destroys any attempt to conserve range….. 

[ernieb]

2 hours ago, Flatcoat said:

Similar to you Ernie, can get about 49 miles on a good day this summer, compared with 42/3 miles in January. My miles/kw is from the outset so haven’t specifically checked summer range. My problem is when SWMBO drives with her lead feet….. totally destroys any attempt to conserve range….. 

and for range we can now read ‘money’!

[Lawnmowerman]

If I remember correctly, Toyota suggest 43 miles on a full charge. Recently I started to zero miles and the miles/kw. I achieve a minimum of 43 miles (rarely less) but sometimes up to 48/49 miles. Given my location I am well pleased with that.

That being the case the Toyota figure of 43 is surprisingly conservative from a manufacturer. Other brands should be embarrassed to reveal their true figures - the scales fall very quickly from their owner's eyes unfortunately.

[spicyhotone]

It would be useful though if the number the car tells you is actually realistic, rather than a little over optimistic (you've sold me the car now, I don't need to be over promised any more!). Having said that, don't think Toyota is unusual in this respect, our Nissan Leaf also always over promises on range. The car knows how we tend to drive, so should be able to provide a more accurate estimate of available range (eg. if I average 3.5 miles/kwH (according to the car), then 14kwH should give me about 49 miles, not 56 miles which is 4 miles/kwH.

Like Ernie, I've also noticed that last 10 miles of range can disappear pretty quickly. I also notice the first mile can go looooong way. This time of year a full charge pretty much always shows up as 56 miles of range, but I can sometimes drive 3-4 miles before it drops down to 55 miles. Can't believe it's beyond the wit of man (or computer) to make this range more accurate!

[ernieb]

I think it's 46 miles on a full charge but it doesn't really matter that much. The reality is most of us who report such things on here seem to get around those figures when taking into account their local topography etc.

[ernieb]

8 hours ago, spicyhotone said:

It would be useful though if the number the car tells you is actually realistic, rather than a little over optimistic (you've sold me the car now, I don't need to be over promised any more!). Having said that, don't think Toyota is unusual in this respect, our Nissan Leaf also always over promises on range. The car knows how we tend to drive, so should be able to provide a more accurate estimate of available range (eg. if I average 3.5 miles/kwH (according to the car), then 14kwH should give me about 49 miles, not 56 miles which is 4 miles/kwH.

Like Ernie, I've also noticed that last 10 miles of range can disappear pretty quickly. I also notice the first mile can go looooong way. This time of year a full charge pretty much always shows up as 56 miles of range, but I can sometimes drive 3-4 miles before it drops down to 55 miles. Can't believe it's beyond the wit of man (or computer) to make this range more accurate!

I think that would be pretty complex to do on a day by day basis as it would have to compute the weather conditions, speed, acceleration, braking and topography plus others I just can not get my head around. Overall it seems to work pretty well as an average based on your personal driving history, but optimistically it would be good if possible.

[NASY]

The range or fuel consumption figures people get in their real worlds are just that, their real worlds. It is totally impossible to cover all bases, hills, lead right feet, winds, temperature, loads and so it goes on. Given these variables I think Toyota have done remarkably well at delivering a car which pretty much delivers as advertised, a rare achievement which other manufacturers would be well advised to note. 

[Flatcoat]

9 hours ago, NASY said:

The range or fuel consumption figures people get in their real worlds are just that, their real worlds. It is totally impossible to cover all bases, hills, lead right feet, winds, temperature, loads and so it goes on. Given these variables I think Toyota have done remarkably well at delivering a car which pretty much delivers as advertised, a rare achievement which other manufacturers would be well advised to note. 

Exactly - when you read road tests they all state how good the real world range is and often matches Toyota’s claimed figure (which I think is 47miles). I can think of few if any competitors who achieve similar results and comments.