Originally Posted by EricGo

Hi Ken,

While I agree that using the HV battery during acceleration leaves less charge to glide with, I think that if I had to choose which was more fuel economical overall: ICE on, arrow to the battery, or ICE on, arrow from the battery, I would choose the latter. The Prius is very adept at keeping the ICE in an optimal power range when power demands are high by pulling from the battery, but less adept at dealing with low power demand conditions. I think.

If the HV SOC is low, the conclusions change. Also, it is possible to place power demands on the car that force the ICE into an inefficient range. So I am not saying that the gas pedal can be floored with impunity, but that I strive to avoid low power demand, ICE on situations.