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Old 03-03-2015, 04:15 AM   #34 (permalink)
planetaire
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: France
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Planetaire - '07 Toyota Prius 2 plug in
90 day: 195.47 mpg (US)
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Mechanical energy

Quote:
Originally Posted by EVmetro View Post
...Sometimes I stew about the idea of getting my hands on a Prius and converting it to strictly ICE, with the intent of finding out the difference would be in fuel economy. This is not a very realistic thing to do since so much of it is integrated, but it is a neat thought. I would put my money on an all ICE Prius for driving a long distance on flat ground, but I don't know enough to predict an around town winner.
Hi, Evmetro

I have a gen2 prius (diy plug-in) and use it in 100% ev mode since more then 6 months. It is possible from 0 to 85 km/h with a factory prius with just more battery. No need to "convert" the car in this speed range.
If you compare the mecanical energy needed at the wheel level, with or without the engine, you will find the same value. Except that if you use the engine, you will lose thermal energy because this engine have to be used up to 90°C and this will be lost during parking after your trip.
If you want to reduce you "primary" energy consumption, use low rolling tires and aerodynamic improvements (wheel cover ...)

In this graph you have energy consumption (blue curb)

Higher each winter of course, but it have been decreased not since I add battery (First 4.5kWh, since 2012 9kWh and now 20kWh) but since improving tires and aero.
Before mecanical energy was between 100 and 120 Wh/km (160 to 190 Wh/mile) and can now goes under 90 Wh/km.

(Orange curb is gasoline consumption in Liter/100km)
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