New support for Auto EV more on 2024 RAV PHEV

[DavidinDerbyshire]

I am aware there are now many discussions on the performance of these wonderful new cars but in my ninth week of ownership I have just executed an interesting trial on mode preference. On Saturday I drove from Chesterfield to Sarn in Montgomeryshire (Powys), a distance of 125 miles.  With 56 EV miles available on the display and a full tank of petrol I chose to use HV mode in ECO.   It was a good run via M1, A38, M6 Toll, A406 and M54 before the remaining mileage on A5 and then a variety of A and B roads. (Diversion through Montgomery due to an RTA on A 489).  We arrived with 48 EV miles available and a petrol consumption of 44.5mpg….which I was pretty well satisfied with.  Today we did the trip in reverse but I chose Auto EV mode (and ECO) and apart from missing Montgomery, we had a pretty clear run. As we neared Chesterfield on the M1 the EV mileage shrank rapidly and by J29A it was on zero….a first. But a few miles up the road at home we then saw a petrol consumption of an amazing 70.2 mpg.   And I thought that PHEVs were supposed to be less efficient on long runs !!  In this screen shot you can see my “scores”. I reckon the RAV PHEV is unequalled as a choice for the next decade of motoring. If only the eastbound Lane 1 of the M54 was of such high quality. That road is a disgrace. 

[philip42h]

OK, so ...

Your journey was 125 miles, and you started with an EV range of 56 miles.

On your way down, you achieved an indicated 44.5 mpg, so you burned 2.8g fuel. You used true EV for around 8 miles, so your ICE journey was an effective 117 miles. 117 miles on 2.8g gives an ICE economy of 41.7 mpg.

On your way back, you achieved 70.2 mpg, so you burned 1.8g fuel. You used true EV for around 48 miles, so your ICE journey was an effective 77 miles. 77 miles on 1.8g gives an ICE economy of 42.8 mpg.

Your actual fuel economy was broadly the same each way but used more EV kWh to cover miles on the way back. You can't take the mpg figures displayed by a PHEV at face value ... but it's still a great car. Enjoy! 🙂

[DavidinDerbyshire]

1 minute ago, philip42h said:

OK, so ...

Your journey was 125 miles, and you started with an EV range of 56 miles.

On your way down, you achieved an indicated 44.5 mpg, so you burned 2.8g fuel. You used true EV for around 8 miles, so your ICE journey was an effective 117 miles. 117 miles on 2.8g gives an ICE economy of 41.7 mpg.

On your way back, you achieved 70.2 mpg, so you burned 1.8g fuel. You used true EV for around 48 miles, so your ICE journey was an effective 77 miles. 77 miles on 1.8g gives an ICE economy of 42.8 mpg.

Your actual fuel economy was broadly the same each way but used more EV kWh to cover miles on the way back. You can't take the mpg figures displayed by a PHEV at face value ... but it's still a great car. Enjoy! 🙂

But that 7p per kwh means the return was clear by far? 

[DavidinDerbyshire]

2 minutes ago, DavidinDerbyshire said:

But that 7p per kwh means the return was clear by far? 

CHEAPER

[philip42h]

5 minutes ago, DavidinDerbyshire said:

But that 7p per kwh means the return was clear cheaper by far? 

Yes, of course. At 7p / kWh you'll be paying < 3p per mile. On ICE you'll be paying around 16p per mile. So, for best economy, you need to use EV as much as possible - ideally keeping your round-trip journeys between recharges to < 50 miles.

[DavidinDerbyshire]

But, Philip, life is not a matrix that suits one purpose. Our 1250 miles since June 1 has been pretty much ALL EV. We expect to do maybe four or five supra 40m journeys per annum. The point I am trying to make is that my reasoning and expectation on purchasing this vehicle with an anticipated life of 15 plus years is that it appears to outstrip other comparable SUV 4x4 in both economy and ecological arguments without range anxiety or excessive depreciation. My intention in posting this story is to support those readers who may yet be undecided on the PHEV argument. Not to provoke ad hominem minutiae. I don’t need convincing that I spent (or will be spending) too much on this purchase.  I just want to share the pleasure, a sensation I have rarely experienced in 62 years of purchasing and driving 55 vehicles I have owned and many many more police, BBC and test vehicles as a producer of Going Places. (R4) Let alone PoppyBus. (Another time, eh?) I will leave algebra to you. I was never any good at that. 

[Cyker]

Is AutoEV that fancy thing that makes it optimize EV/ICE usage based on the satnav route?

[DavidinDerbyshire]

It certainly appears that is the case. In both trips I inputted the sat nat directions so, yes, if such software exists, it could have balanced out EV/ ICE on a AI prediction. It is amazing how the EV ran out just a few miles from home.   I don’t know that to be a fact, though. 

[philip42h]

23 minutes ago, Cyker said:

Is AutoEV that fancy thing that makes it optimize EV/ICE usage based on the satnav route?

When discussed previously, the PHEVies suggested not (sadly). It doesn't switch between HV and EV based on route or speed (as such). The description in the Owner's Manual states:

■ When in AUTO EV/HV mode
Only the electric motor is used for EV driving* during normal driving, but when the accelerator pedal is strongly depressed, the gasoline engine starts.

Also, when the hybrid Battery (traction battery) level is low, the mode switches to HV mode automatically the same as in EV mode.

AUTO EV/HV mode is suitable for driving conditions when more power is required, such as for driving uphill or accelerating suddenly. However, because the gasoline engine will start more easily, it is recommended to drive in EV mode usually.

 

I.e. it's EV mode with an increased propensity to switch on the ICE.

[Nick72]

15 hours ago, DavidinDerbyshire said:

I am aware there are now many discussions on the performance of these wonderful new cars but in my ninth week of ownership I have just executed an interesting trial on mode preference. On Saturday I drove from Chesterfield to Sarn in Montgomeryshire (Powys), a distance of 125 miles.  With 56 EV miles available on the display and a full tank of petrol I chose to use HV mode in ECO.   It was a good run via M1, A38, M6 Toll, A406 and M54 before the remaining mileage on A5 and then a variety of A and B roads. (Diversion through Montgomery due to an RTA on A 489).  We arrived with 48 EV miles available and a petrol consumption of 44.5mpg….which I was pretty well satisfied with.  Today we did the trip in reverse but I chose Auto EV mode (and ECO) and apart from missing Montgomery, we had a pretty clear run. As we neared Chesterfield on the M1 the EV mileage shrank rapidly and by J29A it was on zero….a first. But a few miles up the road at home we then saw a petrol consumption of an amazing 70.2 mpg.   And I thought that PHEVs were supposed to be less efficient on long runs !!  In this screen shot you can see my “scores”. I reckon the RAV PHEV is unequalled as a choice for the next decade of motoring. If only the eastbound Lane 1 of the M54 was of such high quality. That road is a disgrace. 

If I'm working out ice only mpg I use the odometer.