How long is EV mode meant to last in a Toyota Prius?

Emma K melts Affey_s parts.. · 08 Jul 2010, 07:42 pm

or how far are you meant to be able to drive in it?

yes, i knew that, but once you press the EV button, how long is it meant to run for or how far?

andy s · 08 Jul 2010, 07:45 pm

When the vehicle is turned-on with the "start" button, it is ready to drive immediately with the electric motor, while electric pumps warm the engine with previously saved hot engine coolant, before the internal combustion engine is started. The delay between starting the car and starting the internal combustion engine is approximately seven seconds. The Asian and European versions of this vehicle provide a button labeled "EV" that maintains Electric Vehicle mode after start up, under most low-load driving conditions. This permits driving with low noise and no fuel consumption, and is advertised as a "quiet" option for short journeys, for example in residential areas at night, in the Asia manual. The car automatically reverts to normal mode if the battery becomes exhausted. Prior to the 2010 model, the North American model did not have the "EV" button, although the "EV" mode is still supported internally by the Prius Hybrid Vehicle management computer.

JerryJ · 08 Jul 2010, 07:49 pm

The EV button gives a hint to the computer to use only electric power. It turns off whenever the battery SOC gets too low, when you ask for more power than the motor alone can provide, or when you are going faster than a ~33 mph. (Note: the 33 mph is for 2004-2009 models). There is no specific distance that anyone can give you because it depends on too many things.

The EV button is not for all-electric driving in town. It's for coming and going in the wee hours without disturbing the neighbours in tightly packed Japanese and European cities. It's not intended to be used for more than half a block. In North America the main function of the EV button is to impress your friends and do the driveway shuffle. There are a couple of odd cases where the EV button can actually help mpg, but most folks will actually get worse mpg with the button because of the energy conversion loss.

How long is EV mode meant to last in a Toyota Prius?

Welcome to our forum

Quick member login