(I know ICE comes on anything over 62 MPH). I'm seeing some mentions in PHV reviews that it is tough to avoid ICE coming on unless drive really lightfooted. Is that so? (saw that in Boston Globe (sp?) review) Reason I ask is PHV seems like solution to do those short trips to store, etc and avoid ICE running. But, if you can't accelerate into the flow of traffic without ICE, that could be a problem. So, if have 2+ miles left, and give it lots of pedal, will it do EV or invoke the dreaded ICE?
I think you should not worry about it, if your demand is more than the packs can give the PHV will temporarily invoke the ICE, once your demand is back to what the packs can give it will switch back to EV mode. Giora.
If the engine turns on for a short nothingness when you floor it, then you consume 10miles per gallon for a few hundred feet. Less than a suburban uses to start itself from a standstill. Don't sweat it.
Unfortunately, I never got the privilege of being able to drive one but I believe the answer is no. I know some of the folks who did get to really punched it and got the ICE to kick on, but it seems like the PHV has been set to allow for FAR harder acceleration on while in EV mode than the non-PHV 3rd gen. Watch the video at John's Stuff - Toyota Prius Video Files - PHV First Commute. IIRC, when the EV indicator on the right side (part of the HSI) goes out, that means the ICE is on. He reaches that point when he hits 50 mph If you have the time, watch http://priuschat.com/forums/toyota-prius-phv-plug-in/89952-how-phv-prius-drives.html.
BTW, if you want to hear more driving impressions of the PHV Prius, there were at least two What Drives Us eps where drivers discussed them. I believe they were eps 12 and 15 (Podcasts | What Drives Us). I listened to them long ago. My podcast listening is usually while driving and occasionally at home while doing other things. As you might recall, there were a # of PHV Prius driving experiences threads such as: http://priuschat.com/forums/toyota-prius-phv-plug-in/83700-adventures-phv-model-prius.html http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-hybrid-news/82492-my-real-world-experience-phv-blog.html http://priuschat.com/forums/toyota-prius-phv-plug-in/82421-my-real-world-experience-phv.html http://priuschat.com/forums/toyota-prius-phv-plug-in/82724-evans-turn-phv-prius.html http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-h...in-torrance-california-driving-prius-phv.html http://priuschat.com/forums/toyota-...ets-shot-driving-phv-prius-in-around-nyc.html The above isn't a complete list. edit: I found some of Rick's acceleration tests at http://priuschat.com/forums/toyota-...-hot-desert-ricks-turn-phv-5.html#post1169606.
