Quote:
Originally Posted by bwilson4web
This is mostly accurate given the recent data I've been seeing from my Graham miniscanner. In the case of the older 2001-03 Prius, at speeds below 42 miles per hour, the engine has to run to operate the compressor. So typical idle, engine air flow runs about 2 g/sec but with the compressor, 2.45 g/sec. The problem is we don't see as much 0 g/sec with the engine off. But that changes once the car is going over 42 miles per hour.
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Even with an electric compressor, and the ICE off, the power has to come from somewhere, so there will be additional consumption later when the ICE is on again and recharging the traction battery. In fact, there will be a loss in efficiency (powering via the battery) so the average gallons/hour of AC use will increase where there is low speed EV operation mixed in. As you have observed with a 2001-2003 Prius, low speed AC operation is particulary onerous as you have about 5x the airflow (=gas consumption) you would need to run the AC alone! Even more reason to open the windows around town.