I get tired of a less-than useful top electric-only speed of about 20 mph. Are there any hacks/upgrades/tunes to make my 07 Camry run @ higher speeds on electric only? I'd like to see 35-40mph.

 

Most have reported being able to run on electric only (EV mode) up to about 40-42mph, me included. It takes a very leisurely acceleration, and can only last a mile or two on level ground with a full state of charge.

 

Wow, I haven't gotten above 25 and I've had mine 2 years. Maybe "very leisurely acceleration" is where I am going wrong. I am definitely "leisurely", but I guess not "very" enough with my acceleration.

 

Max speed once you are in EV mode is +/- 42mph. The maximum speed to shutdown the ICE and enter EV mode is +/- 40mph.

 

My theory is that to spin any electric motor any faster under load, takes more amps. My hope is when Toyota starts using the higher amp lithium batteries they may move the 42 mph max in the EV mode up to 50 mph or faster. I would think the 2.0 and 2.5 miles max I have got some times in the EV mode, would maybe be doubled with the lithium's.

HotDoogity mentioned acceleration. I enjoy trying to take off from a red light (with no cars behind) very easy. I do that to try my best to see how fast I can get the car while staying in the EV mode. It's not easy and takes practice. Best on a smooth, level street. My engine usually kicks in at 25 mph, I have reached 35 at times. Once all the way to 38 when the engine came on. I have one place in town where I can pull out off a parking lot. With no traffic I can ever so slowly speed up in the EV Mode and hold it that way at 38 mph and sometimes up to 40. I can do this for 1 1/2 to 2 miles. I find occasionally doing this adds to the gas mileage.

When accelerating in the EV mode, the slightest extra pressure on the accelerator will case the engine to kick in. This is good practice to learn to work with the EV mode. Do this away from any traffic.

 

Jimmy,

I think the 42 mph limit is to prevent an over rev of mg1. I am not positive but I think mg1 has a 10,000 rpm limit. After that the ICE needs to fire up and act as a counter rev to mg1 in the PSD

 

I finally was able to break the 40mph on EV mode! Of course it didn't last long enough as I was nearing a red light that didn't change green fast enough, plus I had cars behind me!

 

Sounds correct to me. page down one this site and move the sliders.

http://eahart.com/prius/psd/

 

As mentioned, 42mph is a system limit to prevent exceeding the mechanical limit of the MG1 generator. It would be like hacking the rev limiter on an ICE to allow it to rev beyond red line.

However, if you really want to play with EV, although there are many threads in this forum on pros, cons, advise and such, here's your "fast & simple" checklist for max EV usage:

• Engine's gotta be toasty warm, and it helps "way lots" if the air temp is warm too.
• Shut off the climate control, not low, not ECO, but "off".
• Accelerate somewhat moderately/briskly (with ICE power) to 38-40mph and completely release gas pedal. Once needle drops to EV, apply very slight pressure to maintain. Leisurely acceleration (and especially to speeds between 20-30mph) will typically discourage allowing the car to go into EV.
• Pick level or slight downhills for best fun. Slight uphills, be willing to bleed off speed to maintain EV.
• Accelerating from stop to 40mph in EV calls for extremely delicate touch, the right road, and usually warm air temps. Loads of patience helps too.

Remember, this is just a simplified "quick guide" for best results with least study. There's much more info in past threads and I'm hoping I'm not starting another one here repeating it all again...

 

Even if it were possible, I'll ask if it's worth it to 'mess around' with an extremely complex $30,000 car (and clearly jeopardize one's manufacturer's warranty) to save what amounts to only a few dollars in gas?
If one could 'boost' their mileage from 35-40 MPG (and I doubt such a tweak would produce such a large net improvement), at an average of 12,000 miles per year, you're looking at a net savings of 42 gallons of gas a year.
That's less than one gallon of gas per week.
Penny wise and pound foolish?