Prius Prime - Charge Mode

Wisely used, the choice to consume EV miles generated by the gas-engine rather than from plugging in can result in an efficiency gain. Poorly used, the resulting MPG will be lower.
In most cases, you are better off just using plug-supplied electricity. However, I have discovered on long highway trips with my Prius Prime and no place to plug in, it can be handy to take advantage of charge-mode.
This video footage is a capture of the complete charging cycle, presented at 15 times normal speed. Pop-Up of the DRCC (Dynamic Radar Cruise Control) is usually a pleasant visual experience; the car automatically slows down upon detecting a slower vehicle ahead of it. At this speed, the display can be a bit disruption. So, pause the video from at times to see detail.
Overall efficiency, including acceleration onto the highway and deceleration to exit afterward, was 40 MPG. That's incredible considering the A/C was at the coldest setting (that's "LO") with the blower on medium the entire time. This caused the recharge to take 10 additional minutes, but 50 minutes is much faster than when plugging in anyway.
Watch the video careful. Keep in mind that brief recharging is likely what you'll end up using, not the entire 80%. When you do, choose wisely.

[@williamcornejo4639]

I’m saving this video to favorites. I’m looking into getting a Prius prime.

[@john1701a]

Additionally, do not overlook this important comment, which influences consideration of use: NO PLACE TO PLUG IN When you are out on vacation, there can indeed be a benefit from having some EV available. Rather than going through the warm-up cycle, you can avoid HV entirely. Under some circumstances, that will result in higher overall efficiency. For example, going out in the morning for breakfast. The engine is cold and you only need it for a brief time. EV could easily cover that real-world circumstance. Also, there was the concluding comment about briefly recharging: NOT THE ENTIRE 80% It is unnecessary to recharge as much as possible. Just a little will do. Choose wisely.

[@johnpuccetti9383]

I just bought a 2017 Prius Prime new $25,540.00 plus tax minus $6,000.00 incentives in Valencia CA. Send you power charger to a company in Berkeley EVSE they can convert it to 240V 30 Amp with sensor to adapt it to 110 Volt.

[@wolfden125]

Hello , if the Prius prime had a full battery charge and something like a bad fuel pump disabled the gas engine , would the Prius still drive on electric ? And if so would you be able to drive the full capacity of what’s left in the battery or will the Prius not allow this .

[@john1701a]

wolfden125 - Under temperate conditions, not needing A/C or Heater for extremes, it would work just fine.

[@xzzlonezzwolfzzx]

How do you turn charge mode on?

[@john1701a]

Hold the HV/EV button for at least 3 seconds.

[@xzzlonezzwolfzzx]

priusguru good to know. Thanks!

[@jmwild1]

Does charge mode simply cap at 80% or could you conceivably use it to charge the battery all the way to 100%?

[@john1701a]

It stops at 80%. That's the max available, since you want to leave a buffer for regular regenerating too.

[@jmwild1]

Thanks for the info. My Prime Advanced is on a railcar heading my way and I'm trying to soak up as much knowledge as I can to get the most efficiency I can out of it. Been reading the manuals and watching videos like yours. I like the timelapse work!

[@adamlievre4081]

New Prius Prime owner...what is benefit of the charge mode? I will be driving 42 miles (one way to work) - 30 on highway - does this help with MPG?

[@john1701a]

When you don't have an opportunity to plug in, but would benefit later from keeping the engine off, that advantage of charge-mode. I've done that when on vacation.

[@adamlievre4081]

I cannot charge at work, so using CHG mode on way home would be beneficial on MPG *ride home 40 miles)? THANKS

[@john1701a]

Remember, there's an efficiency tradeoff. Keeping the engine off avoids warm-up losses from needing to heat the emission-system for cleansing. That's great for short trips with EV later, but could result in a net MPG drop otherwise. Experiment with switching to HV mode to postpone electricity use. That may result in higher overall MPG.

[@adamlievre4081]

How do you switch from EV to HV? Thinking of trying...on Full charge: - EV Mode until Highway: approx 10 miles - Switch to HV Mode on Highway - EV Mode for last 5 miles (City)

[@john1701a]

Pressing the HV/EV toggles the system between EV and HV mode. Holding that same button for at least 3 seconds is how Charge-Mode is started.