You're close with the pulse and glide...accellerate quickly up to and just past the speed limit, let up completely on the pedal, then ever-so-slightly depress the pedal until there are NO ARROWS. This means no energy is being used from the battery to "EV cruise" as you say...plus no regen holding you back.

HSD really free coasts like this very nicely. My Prius has only got better at this with 40,000 + miles and well-worn tires...as well as driver experience! I can now tell when the electric motors "let go" and the car is free from any drag due to regen or EV mode. Does that make sense?

I find it absolutely amazing that I can free coast like this, keeping up with traffic on a level to slightly downhill 40 miles per hour street. Pretty cool!

Cheers,

Curt.

'04 Seaside Pearl #7. Fumoto oil drain, mudflaps, rear bumper scuff protector & rear warn system, compass mirror, EV mode button, 8" subwoofer in right rear cubby & 6" subs under seats, power lumbar in the front seats, Coastaletech hitch w/ Aspen bike/snowboard rack. iPod2car, 2 amps, Alpine component speakers, and DVD video, solid 47 MPG @ 70000 miles.