Anticipate what's coming up before going to EV mode
#1
Anticipate what's coming up before going to EV mode
I work on a navy base where the speed limit is 15 to 35 mph (strictly enforced). That's the last 1.3 miles of my commute. The 3 miles before that is 35 - 45 mph. I used to try and get the car to run in EV mode as much as possible during that time by doing about 40 in the 45 zone when no one was in back of me. Problem is that the the battery level would drop too low during the last part of the trip and I was running on the ICE doing 15 mph on base.
At 45 - 55 mph while running on the ICE I'm getting over 30 mpg. At 15 - 25 mph I'm getting 15 - 20 mpg. I found that I was better off running in EV mode in the 35 mph zones and putting the speed to 53 mph in the 45 zone. That keeps me below the ticket threshold, the car runs more efficiently at 53 than 45 and when I arrive on the base I have a full charge on the battery.
Moral of the story. Save the battery for when you'll get the most benefit.
At 45 - 55 mph while running on the ICE I'm getting over 30 mpg. At 15 - 25 mph I'm getting 15 - 20 mpg. I found that I was better off running in EV mode in the 35 mph zones and putting the speed to 53 mph in the 45 zone. That keeps me below the ticket threshold, the car runs more efficiently at 53 than 45 and when I arrive on the base I have a full charge on the battery.
Moral of the story. Save the battery for when you'll get the most benefit.
#2
Re: Anticipate what's coming up before going to EV mode
I have experienced that same effect just today. Was traveling in areas that had 20-30 mph speed zones and I used the E mode 75% of the travel time until finally the battery got to low and my analog mpg gauge was stuck at 10-20 mpg for some time there after. Total trip mpg was well below 30 mpg, so I agree with your theory.
Orcrone - is your commute level or varied terrain?
Orcrone - is your commute level or varied terrain?
#3
Re: Anticipate what's coming up before going to EV mode
Originally Posted by 12punch
Orcrone - is your commute level or varied terrain?
#4
Re: Anticipate what's coming up before going to EV mode
Great advice Marc. I often get in stop/slow and go traffic during rush hour going home on the freeway. I've found by watching the battery SOC display I can get the most out of my EV capacity. I use the ICE when I accelerate if the SO is under 2/3 to keep from draining the battery to the point the ICE runs to recharge the battery, even if I'm stopped.
The SOC lets me decide when to back off the throttle and use EV or move along slowly with the ICE to restore the SOC a bit. It really does help.
The SOC lets me decide when to back off the throttle and use EV or move along slowly with the ICE to restore the SOC a bit. It really does help.
#5
Re: Anticipate what's coming up before going to EV mode
Ah, it's "fun with numbers day"...
Your less preferred method of maximizing EV on the 3 mile leg yields:
3 mile portion: 0 gals
1.3 miles at, say 17.5mpg: .074286 gals
Your new preferred way:
3 mile portion at 40mpg: .075 gals
1.3 mile portion: 0 gals
You said you'd get over 30mpg using ICE on the 3 mile leg, but in order to actually break even you'd need to get at least 40mpg on this leg.
Looks like a close call... Who cares whose behind you, we need exact numbers!
Your less preferred method of maximizing EV on the 3 mile leg yields:
3 mile portion: 0 gals
1.3 miles at, say 17.5mpg: .074286 gals
Your new preferred way:
3 mile portion at 40mpg: .075 gals
1.3 mile portion: 0 gals
You said you'd get over 30mpg using ICE on the 3 mile leg, but in order to actually break even you'd need to get at least 40mpg on this leg.
Looks like a close call... Who cares whose behind you, we need exact numbers!
#6
Re: Anticipate what's coming up before going to EV mode
Originally Posted by Droid13
Ah, it's "fun with numbers day"...
Your less preferred method of maximizing EV on the 3 mile leg yields:
3 mile portion: 0 gals
1.3 miles at, say 17.5mpg: .074286 gals
Your new preferred way:
3 mile portion at 40mpg: .075 gals
1.3 mile portion: 0 gals
Your less preferred method of maximizing EV on the 3 mile leg yields:
3 mile portion: 0 gals
1.3 miles at, say 17.5mpg: .074286 gals
Your new preferred way:
3 mile portion at 40mpg: .075 gals
1.3 mile portion: 0 gals
In the preferred method the ICE turns off when I turn onto the base's road, so the entire 1.3 miles is done with the ICE off. In addition, about 1/2 mile to a mile of the three miles leading up to it is in EV mode. It's only the 45 mph zone and while accelerating that I'm using the ICE. The last part of the 3 mile leg is at 45 mph, giving the battery time to charge before reaching the base.
So it seems that the preferred method is yielding better fuel efficiency. There's also the psychological angle to FE (boy, this is getting weird). I don't mind seeing the ICE turn on when going 45 mph. However, when I'm on base the limit will go from 15 to 25 mph. The ICE will turn on when I accelerate. But then when I ease off the accelerator the ICE stays on even if I let off the pedal, even though the display shows the SOC at 50%. And I'm sitting there going "**** you HSD, I only have 3/4 mile to go. Shut off that engine ". I've even thought of bringing a small animal with me to make my sacrifice to the FE gods. (Just kidding, please don't sick PETA on me.)
Originally Posted by Droid13
Looks like a close call... Who cares whose behind you, we need exact numbers!
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