So, there's a hybrid display mode that lets me watch the battery output and input in kW. I have been successfully driving with a light foot in order to keep the engine from switching on all the way up to 75+ mph, but I'm curious as to approximately whereabouts I can expect the computer to switch it on, based on kW output.

Anybody know or have a guess at the battery's (lets say near fully charged) maximum output in kW before the engine kicks on? I am sure this is dependent on tons of factors, like accelerator input, speed, temperature, etc, but has anyone tracked or got a guess at (using a feather light foot on the accelerator) when the computer decides to start the engine?

Second question: How many kW can the capacitors handle when braking, before the ablative brakes/pads engage? Anybody tracked maximum input? Obviously when you've gotta stop, you've gotta stop, but I have a light foot on the brakes as well, I'd like to know just how light it should be to recapture the maximum amount of energy.

I drive with a fairly light foot on the accelerator and I almost never cause the ICE to run. As you drive the car more you’ll get a pretty good feel for it I think.

I do not believe that the regenerative braking charges capacitors. It is directly charging the battery. I always try to anticipate stops. I take my foot of the accelerator as early as possible and a lot of times I shift into L to slow the vehicle down and then use the brake pedal right near the end. Some people drive 100% of the time in L but for me that doesn’t seem the most efficient.Believe it or not, for most efficient operation it’s better to let the car coast down to stop than using the regenerative action but most of the time that’s not possible with other impatient drivers around.

 

I believe it is somewhere around 80-85kW output, and 45kW max regen. I'm sure someone here knows the specific numbers.

 

Battery logs show maximum available power levels.

Discharge/Charge Power Available:
   HV Battery Charge Power 2sec: 97257 W
   HV Battery Charge Power 10sec: 95040 W
   HV Battery Charge Power 30sec: 83961 W
   HV Battery Discharge Power 2sec: 97374 W
   HV Battery Discharge Power 10sec: 95073 W
   HV Battery Discharge Power 30sec: 91794 W

I avoid driving 75MPH in electric mode. Discharging the entire capacity in 10 min can't be good for the battery health.

 

Battery logs show maximum available power levels.

Discharge/Charge Power Available:
   HV Battery Charge Power 2sec: 97257 W
   HV Battery Charge Power 10sec: 95040 W
   HV Battery Charge Power 30sec: 83961 W
   HV Battery Discharge Power 2sec: 97374 W
   HV Battery Discharge Power 10sec: 95073 W
   HV Battery Discharge Power 30sec: 91794 W

I avoid driving 75MPH in electric mode. Discharging the entire capacity in 10 min can't be good for the battery health.

That's a good point. Maybe a heavier foot is called for when I know the trip is going to be freeway and farther than 30 miles. Thanks! I'll adjust!
Seems I have unfairly maligned the aggressive Adaptive Cruise Control in my other post!

 

I don't think anything particularly bad will happen if you drive fast occasionally. I was in these circumstances when I spent a night in a hotel next to I-95, where I had to drive in the morning. But imagining other extreme- commuting at 75MPH and charging at work, the degradation will accumulate.

 

Says who? Can you prove it? Or do you just feel like that’s true?

And just saying degradation will accumulate is kind of a nothing statement. Degradation accumulates with any usage of a battery. I’m still waiting for any proof that driving at a normal speed for a vehicle will cause exceptional battery degradation that anyone would actually notice.

 

Thanks for doing the test. It is in line with my best estimates. It is quite impressive that PacHy can still have about 25 miles of range at 75MPH in a cold weather and on winter tires.