Is your Prius running on just the battery? Have you ever hit the EV Mode button on your dash and wondered “what did that just do”? Many Toyota Prius owners have been confused about what EV mode is and how to use your hybrid system as best as possible. Well, I did some research and it’s pretty interesting what the EV mode Prius means.
The EV mode in Toyota Prius allows the car to run exclusively on battery power while not using the internal combustion engine, or what many Prius owners call ICE, at all. In this mode, your Prius will obtain maximum fuel economy, run quieter, and could even be a bit faster.
This video gives you an introduction about EV mode in Prius
Below, we will review specifics that make the EV mode Prius different than other hybrids on the market.
EV mode helpful when you are driving in
- residential areas late at night
- indoor parking lots
Watch this video from Toyota about EV mode
Watch this youtube video where a Prius driver shows you this mode
Is EV mode available in all Prius models and generations?
Since all Prius models and generations are hybrid, they all have the ability to run in EV mode, or just on the battery itself. However, depending on which model and generation you have, there are different ways to use this mode.
For an in-depth look at various Prius Generations, read my article here.
First, this mode is being used on all Prius models and generations based on the specifications from the Toyota factory. Using battery strength, current driving techniques, and additional external factors such as temperature, the Prius will automatically choose if it should be running in EV mode or should it use your gas engine.
However, some Prius’ drivers can force the vehicle into this mode.
For example, on later generations, or model year 2009 and later, you have that tiny EV Mode button located on the dash while vehicles older than 2008, or first- and second-generation models, do not.
I will be going into more specifics around how you can best utilize the electric battery in your Prius further down the page.
How far can a Prius go in EV mode?
Asking how far a Hybrid can go in EV mode is one of the most commonly asked questions for new or current hybrid owners.
Traditionally, a Prius can go around 20 miles in EV mode.
However, this distance requires a straight road at a very steady speed.
Any of the following can drastically shorten the distance you can go in pure electric mode
- stop and go traffic
- changes in elevation
- weather conditions
Instead of worrying about how you can drive your Prius in just EV mode, many Prius and other hybrid owners focus on how to maximize miles per gallon by taking advantage of the various modes of Prius when it makes sense obtaining higher miles per gallon than even the manufacturer suggests!
How do I use EV mode?
Depending on which generation Toyota Prius you have, there are a few ways you can use this mode on your vehicle.
The primary way to use this mode is allowing your battery to get completely charged, either by running the engine or using the regenerative braking system, and letting the computer handle it! While there is no sure algorithm to get this to happen, as long as your miles per gallon are above 40-45, that electric motor is handling the workload!
Another way is to force your Prius into EV mode. On all generations since the third, or model year 2009 and later, Toyota Prius vehicles came with an EV Mode button which allows the car to obtain speeds up to 25 miles per hour without starting up the gas engine, as long as the battery was charged to a high enough level.
Many people use this for an early morning departure from home should there be soft sleepers around or a quick run to your local market.
EV mode will cancel automatically when battery goes low.
Some owners of older generation Toyota Prius models, or one before 2009, install aftermarket buttons that give them the ability to force their Prius into using the electric-only mode. Not only do these void any warranty, it also is not recommended as these earlier generation Prius computers are not programmed to run on user-selected EV power.
You can learn more about the car here.
Should I use EV mode in Prius?
Yes, you should be using EV mode in your Prius, but keep in mind, you should, generally only let mode-changes be handled by the car’s computer or manually at the right times.
From the introduction of a hybrid drivetrain, engineers wanted to increase mileage per gallon by allowing your vehicle to run on a battery instead of your internal combustion engine. However, the battery will always need to get recharged just like your cell phone or laptop computer! To make sure you are taking full advantage of your Prius’ EV mode, just let the computer do all the heavy lifting.
From the factory onwards, your Toyota Prius understands how you are driving and will automatically adjust the power as needed. However, your car does not know where you are going and cannot predict what to do next.
Take a look below at a few real-world examples below using a later generation Toyota Prius which has an EV mode button:
- An easy Sunday drive to the grocery store with a charged battery would be a great use of selecting EV mode so your Prius runs specifically on electric power
- Getting constantly stuck in stop and go traffic with inconsistent speeds on the highway would not be a good time to place your vehicle into EV mode as the speeds and inconsistencies would drain your battery quickly
- Coming down a long hill, hitting your brakes as needs to keep your vehicle at the proper speed would not only regenerate your battery, but it may already be running in the right mode
How fast can Prius Prime go in EV mode?
No, this has nothing to do with Amazon Prime! While both the standard Toyota Prius and Prius Prime both have hybrid systems, the Prius Prime is a plug-in hybrid vehicle or PHEV. If you are curious about the difference between PHEV and hybrid, read our article here.
This gives the Prius Prime a bit longer EV range than the regular Prius and it can be recharged using an electric car charging station.
And while the electric-only range is slightly higher, there is also an increased speed for the Prius Prime. According to Toyota, the Prius Prime can go up to 84 miles per hour in EV mode. However, this speed is not sustainable, meaning the battery will deplete pretty quickly. Depending on where you are driving, this speed is also pretty unsafe!
Watch this video as the driver tackles this question
Frequently asked questions
Yes, EV mode is available on all Prius models and generations. In early generations, the EV mode can only be activated by the vehicle itself, but on later generations, or vehicles since 2009, you can force your Prius into this mode using a button on the dash.
A Toyota Prius can go around 20 miles in EV mode. This distance will vary based on how you are driving the vehicle, the type of road you are traveling on, and weather conditions.
In all generation Toyota Prius models, you should let your computer decide how to best use EV mode. However, in Prius’ newer than 2009, or starting with the third generation, there is an EV mode button that drivers can push to force their vehicles into EV mode.
Yes, you would use EV mode! To obtain the highest fuel economy, you should be taking advantage of your vehicle’s EV mode when it decides it’s best to use.
A Prius Prime can go up to 84 miles per hour in EV mode.
Conclusion
As you can tell, the EV mode Prius is a bit more than just a fancy way to get more miles per gallon. By understanding what mode does and how you can obtain the experiences you are looking for, you will certainly get the driving satisfaction many Toyota Prius owners have already found while leading the way with technology and increased fuel economy. Let us know how you use your EV mode and your best results… either distance traveled purely on EV or overall miles per gallon!