Electric-Only Switch
#1
Electric-Only Switch
I bought the mod from Coastal Technologies that allows electric-only operation at low speeds. Since I live in a small residential area with stop signs at every block, I thought it would be useful for short trips uptown. The cost was $55 including shipping and arrived (with a bag of Jelly Bellies) in about 2 weeks.
The unit is a microprocessor that you tap into a few of the wires on the car's computer. The instructions were very clear and the whole install took about 30 minutes. It came with all the needed taps, so there was no cutting or splicing. You have to remove a couple small dash panels to access the computer, but these were snap-ins and no sweat to remove and replace. You activate it with the cruise control stalk. It deactivates automatically when: moderate to hard acceleration, speed hits 34 mph, or battery gets too low.
It works as advertised, and is very satisfying to drive around electric-only. However, it's more of a novelty than a practical mileage-booster. The battery gets down to 2-3 bars within a mile (now you know why an electric car needs so many batteries). And when it has to recharge the battery, your mileage is worse than if you hadn't drained it. So overall mileage-wise, it's probably a wash. There's no free lunch.
Would I do it again? Probably not. But I'll keep it installed, for that occasional experience of pure electric motoring.
Mike
The unit is a microprocessor that you tap into a few of the wires on the car's computer. The instructions were very clear and the whole install took about 30 minutes. It came with all the needed taps, so there was no cutting or splicing. You have to remove a couple small dash panels to access the computer, but these were snap-ins and no sweat to remove and replace. You activate it with the cruise control stalk. It deactivates automatically when: moderate to hard acceleration, speed hits 34 mph, or battery gets too low.
It works as advertised, and is very satisfying to drive around electric-only. However, it's more of a novelty than a practical mileage-booster. The battery gets down to 2-3 bars within a mile (now you know why an electric car needs so many batteries). And when it has to recharge the battery, your mileage is worse than if you hadn't drained it. So overall mileage-wise, it's probably a wash. There's no free lunch.
Would I do it again? Probably not. But I'll keep it installed, for that occasional experience of pure electric motoring.
Mike
#5
Re: Electric-Only Switch
Originally Posted by foo monkey
Does it improve your overall milage, if you use it for just the first few minutes?
#6
Re: Electric-Only Switch
For $55, I'd consider the mod. How does it affect the warranty of the car?
Like any new Prius owner, I'm becoming more and more aware of my MPG. I get great highway mileage on my work commute (55+), but crappy on my evening errand commute. In the 20 minutes I spend getting dinner, picking up the kids, and picking up the dog, I'll lose 2MPG on the display, which I have to make up, on my next trip to DC. If I could run the first 5-10 minutes on EV, it could make a significant difference in my MPG.
Like any new Prius owner, I'm becoming more and more aware of my MPG. I get great highway mileage on my work commute (55+), but crappy on my evening errand commute. In the 20 minutes I spend getting dinner, picking up the kids, and picking up the dog, I'll lose 2MPG on the display, which I have to make up, on my next trip to DC. If I could run the first 5-10 minutes on EV, it could make a significant difference in my MPG.
#7
Re: Electric-Only Switch
It could affect your warranty, but probably only if you abuse it by using it all the time and happen to kill the battery, although even that's highly unlikely since it won't let you use it below 3 bars. The reason it shouldn't void the warranty is because it's a real feature, not a hack. Supposedly the reason it wasn't included in the North American models was due to EPA mileage testing and not being able to calculate that, but personally I think Toyota wanted to have one market that didn't have the option so that they could compare (statistically) if it made a difference on battery longevity. If anything serious ever did go wrong that was covered under warranty it's very easy to remove so that they would never know you ever had it, and your warranty would be unaffected.
#8
Re: Electric-Only Switch
As Schwa says, whether it can be a net gain depends on your terrain or traffic controls. In general, if you can use the EV-only mode for short periods of otherwise terrible mileage driving, then have access to some cheap recharging (downhills, 35 mph frontage roads, etc.), it can work.
For me, I like to use it late at night when things are extra quiet anyway to increase the effect of silent running. No radio, nothin'. Very peaceful.
Mike
For me, I like to use it late at night when things are extra quiet anyway to increase the effect of silent running. No radio, nothin'. Very peaceful.
Mike
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