My wife Bree's new 26 Prius

[pgfpro]

My wife just bought a new 2026 Prius Plug In. We did our first EV test out of the box for her daily work commute. It is supposed to go up to 44 miles in EV mode only, we went 55miles in EV Mode on our first attempt. So far, I'm very impressed with this car. This was done keeping speed below 45 mph and no freeway. This will suit her normal driving just fine and is what I was hoping for.

They have a customer that has not even had the engine come on yet (over a year now) and is using his Prius as an EV only car. They do highly advise against it though mainly due to the crappy fuel today hurting the fuel system. So, what we are going to do is run a few tanks of premium fuel through it and every other month take it on the freeway to burn the fuel up.

[redpoint5]

All plug-in hybrids I'm aware of will periodically start the engine if it's not used often enough during normal driving so that the fuel eventually gets consumed. Does this iteration of the plug-in not do that also? I'd not worry about consuming fuel unless you think you wouldn't get through 1 tank in a year or so.

[Ecky]

If it's a concern, how about some fuel stabilizer with each fill?

Nice car.

[pgfpro]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

All plug-in hybrids I'm aware of will periodically start the engine if it's not used often enough during normal driving so that the fuel eventually gets consumed. Does this iteration of the plug-in not do that also? I'd not worry about consuming fuel unless you think you wouldn't get through 1 tank in a year or so.

It does have an engine start automatically after several miles driven without the ICE starting. How many miles the manual doesn't really say. According to this dealership this person basically ran in EV mode for over a year, and the engine never started.

According to the owner's manual the gasoline engine will turn on...

1) If vehicle speed is more the 84mph.
2) When power is acceleration is needed suddenly.
3)When the temps are very hot example driven on a hill.
4)When temps are very low 14*F or lower.
5)Windshields defogger is used.

[redpoint5]

Being in the PNW, you'll start using the defrost in the next couple months, and that should be sufficient to run through a tank in a reasonable timeframe.

[pgfpro]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Being in the PNW, you'll start using the defrost in the next couple months, and that should be sufficient to run through a tank in a reasonable timeframe.

That's kinda what I was thinking too.

[Logic]

You've probably been threatened with death 'if you even think about it!'
but this would be a very interesting vehicle to mod with your pre chamber lean burn!?

[pgfpro]

Well today it was 101*F and it used more battery because the AC runs off the battery. Still made her commute but she had her lunch in the car during her work break and used more battery power keeping her nice and cool. Still learning the ways. lol

[pgfpro]

Originally Posted by Logic

You've probably been threatened with death 'if you even think about it!'
but this would be a very interesting vehicle to mod with your pre chamber lean burn!?

Yep, we already had that conversation lol

[pgfpro]

UPDATE:

First tank of fuel. Pretty much 90% of her daily commute to work with one 80-mile road trip she got 62 mpg combine with two complete charges and three half charges. The car could easily be an EV only if we want but, I don't have my 240volt outlet yet and the Camaro is taking up the whole garage at this time. I'm very impressed with this car so far.

Oh, so this tank we're doing an HV mode only to see what it does.