I have noticed when my battery is fully charged, after a long 3 mile hill, that I get a measurable amount of EV assist for several minutes at 50-55 miles per hour. That suggests to me that a better battery would permit better highway mpg via ICE + EV. Is that correct? 2005 FEH, 80k miles

If you look in the photo section (for this photo) you will see my SOC is 68% and I am obtaining a 45 mpg reading. I obtained this excess hybrid battery SOC with a long downhill run in Maryland this past January. I also had electric assist for a short duration. I understand it as Ford does not program the vehicle for "too" much of this for durability concerns. The hybrid battery SOC in the Escape is like 40-58%, the Honda Civic I believe is 50-80%. The Prius is? Ford wants the hybrid battery to last a long time.

2005 AWD Escape Hybrid
Best tank trip MPG 39.02 (scangauge II) for 402 miles on I-70, 10.3 gallons used over mostly flat terrain.

Best tank trip MPG 34.6 for E30 for 271 miles along I-80 in Indiana and Ohio.

I've read the Prius is 20 - 80.

To the OP.

Yes, in a "Plug-In" Ford Escape ( I've driven one for 4 days ) battery assist occurs at all speeds. You can get extended periods of EV if you are going slow. This is true.

On the Highway, you will get up to 90 MPG for the first 25 miles, then regular MPG after that.

With a mix of EV and ICE use in the city, I net 141 MPG during 5 HOURS of driving.

-John

So how do I get a plug-in! Hopefully some affordable after-market kits will come. Thanks for the confirmation!

2005 AWD Escape Hybrid
Best tank trip MPG 39.02 (scangauge II) for 402 miles on I-70, 10.3 gallons used over mostly flat terrain.

Best tank trip MPG 34.6 for E30 for 271 miles along I-80 in Indiana and Ohio.