I'm just wondering if this is normal. I have a really steep driveway, but it is only about 60 feet long. I tried to back my FEH in the other day and it barely would move. I had to get a running start with it and held the pedal to the floor (of course no revving from the engine) and it crept into the garage.

I take it that this means there is electric motor only in reverse and no help from the engine?

 

Correct. There is electric motor only in reverse.

I've never personally run out of power, but sometimes it has felt awfully wimpy.

 

There is no gearing from the gasoline engine to the wheels in reverse.

However, for additional electrical power, the ICE can run and spin the generator, and the electricity from the generator can be applied to the traction motor and the same time as the battery applies power, thus running the engine in reverse basically doubles your horsepower in reverse... all electric horsepower in reverse, which should have plently of torque at slow speeds. -John

 

Turn on max AC or defrost to keep the ice running and see if it helps.

 

I have found the electric motor to have more torque than the ICE, so am surprised to hear that you aren't getting enough in reverse, since that is all electric...