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PHEV - Electric Highway Driving?

5851 Views 18 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  LouM
In the PHEV model, is it possible to drive on the highway while staying in all-electric mode?
or is the electric motor not powerful enough to handle high speeds?

Thanks.
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I was just on the highway this afternoon with my PHEV and once I reached 110 km/h, the vehicle did switch to EV only mode. As long I was able to stay at 110 km/h it stayed in EV mode for the time I was on the highway. For the most part it tries to stay in EV mode if that is what you selected for the mode. I have so far been able to spend the majority of my driving mostly highway in EV mode.
I was just on the highway this afternoon with my PHEV and once I reached 110 km/h, the vehicle did switch to EV only mode. As long I was able to stay at 110 km/h it stayed in EV mode for the time I was on the highway. For the most part it tries to stay in EV mode if that is what you selected for the mode. I have so far been able to spend the majority of my driving mostly highway in EV mode.
Thanks for the information. I presume it's during acceleration when the gas engine needs to kick-in.
It does seem to be when you accelerate or if you have items like the heated seats and steering wheel on as well. I would assume it would be the same with A/C but haven't tried that yet. The vehicle does seem pretty good at trying to stay in EV mode, which is the mode I set it to, for as long as it can. So far I am very impressed with the build quality and performance, I guess time will tell. I do find that if you have it in ECO mode the acceleration is a bit delayed from other modes. It is always a trade off for economy vs performance. Now that I am not 18 anymore, I go for the economy, it gives people more of a chance to admire the vehicle rather than a blur as it goes past ...... .grin.
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Now that I am not 18 anymore, I go for the economy, it gives people more of a chance to admire the vehicle rather than a blur as it goes past ...... .grin.
But once in a while, being "a blur" is nice too ... that way, when they catch up to you, chillin', back in "economy" mode, they know you're doing it because you want to, and not because you have to!!! ;)
In the PHEV model, is it possible to drive on the highway while staying in all-electric mode?
or is the electric motor not powerful enough to handle high speeds?

Thanks.
Just to add a point I am driving. An HEV. And have had only a couple of highway rides but it did go into ev for a good stretch at about 70 miles per hour
With my HEV I find if I cruise at 65-70 for 5-10 minutes in Sport mode the battery will fully charge. When I switch back to ECO I have an easier time staying in battery power only until the battery gauge approaches 1/2. doesn't seem to affect the fuel economy. I made a trip from Ct. to Memphis Tn. and back using this method and got 38 mpg on the money.
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With my HEV I find if I cruise at 65-70 for 5-10 minutes in Sport mode the battery will fully charge. When I switch back to ECO I have an easier time staying in battery power only until the battery gauge approaches 1/2. doesn't seem to affect the fuel economy. I made a trip from Ct. to Memphis Tn. and back using this method and got 38 mpg on the money.
So good to know … thanks!
It does seem to be when you accelerate or if you have items like the heated seats and steering wheel on as well. I would assume it would be the same with A/C but haven't tried that yet. The vehicle does seem pretty good at trying to stay in EV mode, which is the mode I set it to, for as long as it can. So far I am very impressed with the build quality and performance, I guess time will tell. I do find that if you have it in ECO mode the acceleration is a bit delayed from other modes. It is always a trade off for economy vs performance. Now that I am not 18 anymore, I go for the economy, it gives people more of a chance to admire the vehicle rather than a blur as it goes past ...... .grin.
Just curious but do you get the advertised EV range when running in elec/EV mode only? I believe it's 53kms right? Also, how is the PHEV in the cold? Does the ICE turn on/run most of the time? I'm not sure about the specifics in terms of heating/cooling the traction battery unlike Rav4 Prime that can run purely on EV even in the cold...
The vehicle when fully charged says 53kms. I do set it to be in pure EV mode but depending on what other accessories you are running (i.e. heated seats, heated steering wheel) it does seem to start the engine but the flow shows that it is charging the battery, not driving the vehicle which is interesting.

So far we have been lucky here in Edmonton, Alberta that we have had no snow or ice, the lowest temperature has been -6 so I haven't really had a change to see how it would be on snow.

The vehicle really does try to keep itself in EV mode if that is what you set it to and only does run the engine when it has to. I still haven't completly figured it out as sometimes I will have the heated seats and heated steering wheel on and it will stay in EV mode, other times, with the same situation, the engine comes on an charges the battery, perhaps that is when the heated seats are getting warmed up again.

I have never had a PHEV so it has been an interesting 250km with it. I am still not used there being no engine noise when it is in EV mode, I guess I am so used to the sound of an engine it seems very very strange. A few things have been weird like you can't use the garage door opener unless the vehicle is running but just have to get used to a different way of doing things.

Over all I am very very impressed with Hundai. In the past I have only had Cadillac and Lincoln so I was not really sure what to expect but so far the vehilce and all of its features have very much impressed me.
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Was it also supplied with a level 1 charger? How many hours does it take for you to charge/plug it in like overnight? Have you had the need for a level 2 charger at home? I’ve never had a PHEV and considering one in the near future…
I was supplied with a level 1 charger that plugs into a standard 120V outlet. You can select up to a max of 12 amps of power. For mine it takes about 10 hours to go from 30% charge to 100% charge.
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Was it also supplied with a level 1 charger? How many hours does it take for you to charge/plug it in like overnight? Have you had the need for a level 2 charger at home? I’ve never had a PHEV and considering one in the near future…
a level 2 charger is worth it. I bought from Primecom.Tech a San Francisco company through Amazon. Good price & does the job. Has a 30ft strong wire good for sub-zero. You have to make sure your fuse box can manage it. I have a 100 amp service & only charge in the evening (or cheap Sunday) with no oven/dishwasher/washing machine/dryer running, just to make sure.
The charge I bought is a Level 1/2 and plugs into a regular 120V plug. It charges at 15.7 amps which is alot more than the included charger.

This is what I bought (2 of them actually, one for the house, one for the cottage). The price goes up and down alot on the, I got it for $250.

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The charge I bought is a Level 1/2 and plugs into a regular 120V plug. It charges at 15.7 amps which is alot more than the included charger.

This is what I bought (2 of them actually, one for the house, one for the cottage). The price goes up and down alot on the, I got it for $250.

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You did well if you got it for $250 … at the current price it’d be almost $345 plus HST!
I have had my Tucson PHEV for 2 weeks now and I love this car! The safety features and technology are fantastic. I had a 240v outlet put in the garage and bought a level 2 charger. It charges in a couple hours I schedule during the night. My commute is 42 miles of mostly rural and hwy driving and my EV mode lasts for 37 miles of my drive. On the weekends around town it stays in EV all the time. LOVE the savings on gas and better for the environment. As noted in other conversations the gas engine does kick on briefly with quick excelerations and using heat/ac. I wanted to take long trips without worrying about charging stations so didn’t go full EV…yet! As time goes on they will come up with faster charging and longer battery power with charging stations more commonplace and I would go all EV with next if that is the case. Friends have been impressed with comfort and luxury feel of my light gray limited interior and the deep sea color is awesome. I am so glad I went with the Tucson PHEV over the Rav4 prime. It gets a few less EV miles but all the other feature upgrades and comfort is worth it to me. i researched and read reviews for level 2 chargers and this one has been great. Remember don’t pay extra for one that schedules charging time because the car does that itself.
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I have had my Tucson PHEV for 2 weeks now and I love this car! The safety features and technology are fantastic. I had a 240v outlet put in the garage and bought a level 2 charger. It charges in a couple hours I schedule during the night. My commute is 42 miles of mostly rural and hwy driving and my EV mode lasts for 37 miles of my drive. On the weekends around town it stays in EV all the time. LOVE the savings on gas and better for the environment. As noted in other conversations the gas engine does kick on briefly with quick excelerations and using heat/ac. I wanted to take long trips without worrying about charging stations so didn’t go full EV…yet! As time goes on they will come up with faster charging and longer battery power with charging stations more commonplace and I would go all EV with next if that is the case. Friends have been impressed with comfort and luxury feel of my light gray limited interior and the deep sea color is awesome. I am so glad I went with the Tucson PHEV over the Rav4 prime. It gets a few less EV miles but all the other feature upgrades and comfort is worth it to me. i researched and read reviews for level 2 chargers and this one has been great. Remember don’t pay extra for one that schedules charging time because the car does that itself.
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Glad your enjoying your limited PHEV! I amnad well . I too have the same but with a 48 amp which charges it at the max of 7.2 and usually about 7.6 which is faster than the specs state. Usually around 1 hour 50 minute total charge. I just love this car. I am currently heading back home from a month in Florida. T
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he resort had a level II charger like your and it took about maybe 20 to 30 minutes longer than mine. All in all its so much better than the level I they supply.
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I have had my Tucson PHEV for 2 weeks now and I love this car! The safety features and technology are fantastic. I had a 240v outlet put in the garage and bought a level 2 charger. It charges in a couple hours I schedule during the night. My commute is 42 miles of mostly rural and hwy driving and my EV mode lasts for 37 miles of my drive. On the weekends around town it stays in EV all the time. LOVE the savings on gas and better for the environment. As noted in other conversations the gas engine does kick on briefly with quick excelerations and using heat/ac. I wanted to take long trips without worrying about charging stations so didn’t go full EV…yet! As time goes on they will come up with faster charging and longer battery power with charging stations more commonplace and I would go all EV with next if that is the case. Friends have been impressed with comfort and luxury feel of my light gray limited interior and the deep sea color is awesome. I am so glad I went with the Tucson PHEV over the Rav4 prime. It gets a few less EV miles but all the other feature upgrades and comfort is worth it to me. i researched and read reviews for level 2 chargers and this one has been great. Remember don’t pay extra for one that schedules charging time because the car does that itself.
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Bought a PHEV just in time for high gas prices, bet you’re glad too.
For those with the PHEV in southern states, do you find the engine will run often or always to power A/C or does it just cycle on periodically?
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