In order to stay in EV you must monitor the Charge level going in. I have stayed in EV up to 15 minutes and 6 miles with a gentle up and down hilly closed course (Griffith Park, LA). Normally I do up to 4 miles but then pay back with low mileage during the recharge.

The smartest way is to use up the charge on uphill and then use downhills and coasting to recharge.

I know I am not average but I have not had a tank under 30 MPG for the last 8,000 miles. I use a very light foot on gas, stay between 30-50 miles per hour, and accelerate as long as possible in EV. I can usually get into EV and stay in up to 40 MPH.

My advice is to not give up. Experiment. Observe patterns and redo those patterns that result in good mileage. If you have the Nav System reset often to find low and high mileage conditions. You will get best mileage with ambient temperatures 70-80 degrees and with shorter warmups. Mileage will not begin to kick up until you get the thing going 20 miles per hour Plus (this is written into the PCM). You will never get great mileage on trips less than 10 miles. The longer you can travel and sustain momentum the higher the mileage obtained.

Just my opinion.

Mike

Mike Maline - Sdctcher
2005 Ford Escape Hybrid Owner
California School Teacher