Ev Switch - While Driving?

[JohnD2]

Hi. Is there any risk of damage to the cars works if the EV swich is operated while driving?

T I A

J

[timberwolf]

I would say none at all but I haven't tried it - the HSD is designed to combine and switch between the ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) and the electric motor. At most you'll probably just get a beep if it doesn't want to enable the EV mode - I think it's covered in the Owner's Manual but that isn't the most enyoyable or easy manual to read.

Any particular reason for switching EV on whilst driving?

[chinni]

Absolutely no problem.

But it won't work if you are travelling more than 30 mph speed or accelerating too fast or if the Battery level is too low.

[GreenJuice]

Any particular reason for switching EV on whilst driving?

As timberwolf suggests, excessive use of EV will actually worsen your fuel consumption. This is because the energy used to charge the high voltage Battery came originally from burning fuel, and there are unavoidable energy losses when converting this energy back to driving the car.

However, the EV button can be used to advantage when the Prius is still in its warming up stages. In these situations, there is a tendency for the engine to run excessively and so EV can be used as an 'Engine-Veto button' to judiciously force it to cut out. I use it when I know I am in Stage 3, on downhill runs and glides, until I reach a situation when I can enter Stage 4.

[benw123]

Interesting. I use the EV button a lot of the time, although only when the hybrid Battery is above 50% charged. If it drops below this, then as you say the engine works harder to power the car and recharge the Battery. In some respects, it does become a little tiresome using it so often just to keep using the hybrid Battery.

Incidentally, I use the button while on the move. Most commonly, when I back off to slow down to a junction, I'll wait until I'm under 31mph before pressing it. This means the engine stays off - like the "Engine Veto" button as suggested!

[GreenJuice]

Incidentally, I use the button while on the move. Most commonly, when I back off to slow down to a junction, I'll wait until I'm under 31mph before pressing it.

... and I believe it is the only way to get the engine to shut down, in this driving situation, when you are in Stage 3a.

If you back off on approaching a junction when you are in Stage 2 or 4, the engine will automatically shut down anyway, as soon as you lift your foot off. The main difference between these two is that in Stage 2, any demand for 'cabin comfort', (i.e., warrming, cooling, demisting, even just a fan) will over-rule this 'auto' shut down - EV will be needed to force it.

As you say, the EV button will only work under 31 mph. The 'auto' shutdown in stages 2 and 4 takes place up to 41 mph. Above this speed, when you lift off, the engine is forced to spin (adding some drag, but using no fuel I understand).

[JohnD2]

Many thanks to all for information. I don't find the handbook easy to gain information from on the 'quirkier' aspects of the car. Mind you, I have sympathy for whoever was tasked with writing it in today's litigious society.

J

[timberwolf]

Agreed, the handbook wouldn't have answered your question with the additional information and first hand experience of the members here of using the EV mode in driving.

Sorry, I admit some laziness when I mentioned that I thought in was mentioned the manual, I forgot and I should know better that it would be seen as RTFM :o

Interesting thread.