PHEV question
 

after selecting the "EV" mode - is it common for the gas engine to kick in when driving above 50km/h?

test drove a Hyundai PHEV and noted this.

test drove a old mitsu PHEV but didn't notice this.

not many phev's available to test drive so anyone who has a phev can share?

I think it depends on the EV. My dads Porsche does the same thing. The engine will kick in depending on speed and how hard you press the petal.

Certain phev doesn't have big enough battery or motor to sustain higher speeds.

wrong thread

Varies on car, battery size.

Kia/Hyundai has smaller motors so when you step on it harder it can come out of EV mode. If the battery's charged you can get up to highway speeds.

^Basically this
My parents have an Outlander PHEV and if you're light on the pedal you can take it up to around 100km/h, but if you stomp on it and/or turn on ac/heat the motor will turn on for a bit then turn off.
There's an "EV" button that raises the threshold for which the gas motor turns on, so you could probably cruise at 100 on electric only

Which PHEV Hybrid has the longest range capability on electric? Seems like most are 30-50 kms at most.

the rav4 has the highest range and the only one if i remember correctly that gets the full rebate.

In my prius i noticed if i stomp on the pedal it still in EV mode but you can see the battery drain.
I was on hwy 1 going about 100 and still using ev mode but agian not efficent doing this so its better off using the gas engine and charging your battery at the sametime.

If you have the defroster on, it will use the gas engine to help it as its probably more efficent to do that than use the electricity

The Volvo XC60/90 has a range of 58km and it can run as full ev. Even with defrost, heating the cabin, seats and steering wheel.

You gotta look at the total output from the Electrical motor.
Volvo XC60 - 143hp 228lb-ft
Kia Sportage/Sorento/Tucson/Santa Fe - 89.7hp 224lb-ft
Rav4 Prime - F: 179hp 199lb-ft + R: 53hp 89lb-ft

In the other thread, I still believe PHEV is worst of both worlds. The larger battery and Electrical motors add costs and weight and it still have a full ICE powertrain. It's heavier than hybrids and no where as efficient. Depending on commute it could take many of years before you make back the difference in costs. Although, I know the Sportage PHEV with incentive is basically the same price if not a tad less than the hybrid.

PHEV doesnt seem like its worth it. As AznBoi stated above, its the worst of both worlds w/ the cost similar to that of an EV. I much rather just buy a Hybrid Rav4/Corolla then deal with the plugin versions.

at 26k for the hybrid ratrolla, that thing is seriously the bargin of the century.... if you can get one.

I was wondering about this before looking into EVs, with the maintenance. However phevs have been around for quite a while and I haven't heard any horror stories......... Ford? Mitsubishi? Toyota Prius?

Is there a whole lot more weight/additional parts to PHEV vs. plain hybrid (not plug in)?

Battery is a whole lot bigger - 18.1kWh for RAV4 Prime vs. 1.6kWh for regular RAV4 Hybrid, plus you need inverters for AC charging, and bigger electric motors since they'll be handling more of the driving.

From Toyota website - curb weights:

RAV4 gas XLE = 3362lbs
RAV4 Hybrid XLE = 3725lbs
RAV4 Prime XSE = 4299lbs

wow! the difference is almost 1000lbs between the gas and the PHEV. no wonder it can barely drive 70km on that one charge.

I like PHEVs. For us where we have 1 do-everything car and 1 toy car, PHEV makes sense as it'll have to serve as the school bus and the road trip vehicle. The M3 sure as hell ain't gonna roadtrip with 2 kids.

The do everything car will almost burn zero gas in town, and has a gas engine for worry free roadtripping.

In terms of PHEVs running the gas engine. We test drove the Cayenne PHEV and the gas engine doesn't really kick in unless you REALLY mat the throttle. It accelerates fine on just electric at a decent brisk pace. But.... it's a Cayenne lol, it's not really the same price range as the Rav4 or Sportage or Outlander.

This is kind of our plan as well. Do everything car + a old gas car.

Has anyone looked into a Sorrento PHEV?

Rav 4 Prime is 5 years wait. not going to work for us.

Volvo XC 60 is a VERY NICE car but above our price point.

Sportage, Outlander, Sorrento PHEV is whats in the running.

^ Whichever is avail tbh. I want to say Outlander PHEV is readily avail.

I know for a fact that Tucson/Santa Fe PHEV is going to be a long wait as well. Not as crazy as the RAV4, but not anytime soon either.

We've had our Prius Prime for just under a year, and its been great. On the factory eco tires, the EV range is about 50 km. Right now with winters, its prob closer to 30 km depending on how you drive.

I used to think it would be the worst of both worlds, but having the gas engine as a backup really adds flexibility which is nice. As EvoFire, you basically have the advantage of using it as an EV in town, and having the gas engine as a backup for longer trips. Even in hybrid mode, its still very fuel efficient. There is a bit more complexity, but both engines should be fairly understressed.

Considering a Prius Prime is about $40k after tax minus whatever rebate the government is currently offering ($4.5k?), it's pretty affordable.