Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?

In article <n5q7t2dpf42gmp0vu71qipj66k6p4tbt0i@4ax.com>
[email]RgEmMcOgVrEew@mindspring.com[/email] "Gordon McGrew" writes:
[color=blue]
> I rode in a friend's Prius and he showed me that the engine started up
> before he hit 5 mph even under mild acceleration. I thought the
> difference between the "full" hybrids like Prius and "mild" hybrids
> like the Civic was the ability of the former to operate as a pure
> electric over a modest range of conditions.[/color]

The point where the petrol engine fires up depends on a mixture
of road speed and load being imposed. "Racing starts" are sure
to get it going at low speeds, in the Mk2 UK "T4" at least. If
just moving away gently from traffic lights (not a common thing
in the US has been my impression <g>), here in the UK I tend to
hit 10mph or so before the petrol engine joins the party.
[color=blue]
> It would seem that the Prius' all electric performance is very
> modest indeed. Is this correct?[/color]

Google for recent (Jan 2007) posts by me under the Subject 'More
on Prius "EV" mode'. Being all-electric is not the point of the
Prius. Being efficient in its use of fuel is. Huge difference.
--
Andrew Stephenson