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Originally Posted by pbanks
Hmmm, odd. Let me put it this way, I have several times gotten the needle to drop into e-mode at those speeds.
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Must be a gauge display error, unless you are in neutral...
The E-mode indicator is usually meant to indicate the ICE is not spinning, but at that speed unless you're in neutral the ICE must spin to prevent damage to the generator (as schimidtj stated). The reason for this is that the motor, generator, and ICE are interconnected thru the power split device. The rotational speed of any 1 of these is dependant on the rpm of the other 2 devices. If your motor is spinning for a vehicle speed of 70mph and the ICE is not spinning at all, this would cause the generator to spin far past it's normal operating range. Forcing the ICE to spin, even if no power is needed from it, allows the generator to spin in it's safe operating range.
In neutral the generator is disconnected from the ICE (the reason the manual warns you not to leave in neutral as no battery charging will occur).