[number17]

By default when you start the car it is already in ECO + EV mode.

The "EV/HEV" button rotates between 3 modes : EV, AUTO (or Smart? I forgot) and HEV. EV mode will keep the car in EV mode as much as possible but other things like depressing the gas pedal deep or cold outside temperatue will turn the gas engine (ICE) on. AUTO tries to predict what mode you wants, and HEV uses ICE and preserve the EV battery.

On your display, when the car is in EV mode you will see a small "EV" on the top right (assuming you have the SX) corner of your display. When your car is in AUTO or HEV mode it will say that in the top left corner of your screen.

If you want to drive in EV mode you don't need to push the "EV/HEV" button after you start the car.

 

[number17]

Hmmm I am not understanding you completely.

So you are saying that regardless of what you select with the "EV / HEV" button, your car always goes into HEV mode and doesn't stay in EV mode ?

If that is the case, can you guess what triggered the car to go into HEV mode? Usually it's either the need for more power (really stepping down on the gas pedal) or HVAC (need for heat or AC)

And let me also ask a stupid question - you have fully charged the battery via the plug in cable right?

 

[number17]

If it is 90C outside, because it is hot the AC takes on a huge load and usually that would also trigger the ICE to kick in. If you notice the ICE is on, but the rev is stable (1,300 rev) and is not increasing when the speed of your car, then the ICE is just taking on the HVAC and not driving the car.

One way you can isolate the ICE is just turn off HVAC altogether, put your car in ECO and EV mode, and drive around without depressing the accelerator pedal past 50% and see if the ICE comes on. If your car has been plugged in overnight and is fully charged, it should stay in EV mode. If it doesn't, take your car to (a different) dealership, that is not normal behaviour.

 

[number17]

Air conditioning is electric but if it is a particularly hot day, and the compressor is working very hard to pump out A/C then it is putting a big load on the hybrid system. In a way it is kinda like the car needs extra power when going uphill. So if the A/C is putting a heavy load on the electric motor and you also need the car to accelerate, the ICE will kick in to help.