Getting the Most Out of Your Toyota Hybrid Electric Power

Looking at the automotive landscape today, it's hard to deny the palpability of EV power becoming the mainstream fuel source for cars sooner than we think. We still rely heavily on fossil fuels for power, but a major form of our technological toolbox is experiencing a cultural shift and we're excited to see it! In fact, Toyota has been anticipating this move since the 90s with the first iteration of the Prius. Today, Toyota's lineup consists of a Toyota hybrid for just about every model. There's even speculation of a Tundra hybrid coming soon, but that's a story for another time. 

With hybrid power comes the possibility of using just electric power to drive. Some great examples are the RAV4 and Prius Prime. Both of these vehicles, because of their Orlando Toyota hybrid plug-in technology, can use solely electric power to drive for a short time. How can you, as a Toyota hybrid owner, maximize this awesome feature? Toyota of Orlando is here with some answers! 

Maximizing Your Toyota Hybrid EV Power

The electric driving option in your Toyota Hybrid is an excellent feature for saving on your fuel costs and reducing emissions dramatically. We at Toyota of Orlando highly recommend you take full advantage! But, how do you get the most out of this feature? Check out our tips below:

Know Your Specs

The first thing you should do is remember your vehicle's specs, especially when it comes to EV driving range and MPGe. Paying closer attention to the latter metric here, MPGe, can really help you better understand just how efficient and capable your Orlando Toyota hybrid is. Bear with us for a moment while we walk you through what MPGe is exactly.

When measuring the fuel efficiency of a vehicle, the EPA takes into account the amount of heat generated by burning a gallon of gasoline/fuel. For an internal combustion engine, 115,000 BTU (British Thermal Units) is the standard heat generation. For an electric battery pack, it takes 33.7 kWh (kilowatt hours, the standard unit of EV power) to generate the same amount of heat. Essentially, MPGe (Miles Per Gallon Equivalent) is a conversion from gasoline power to electric power equivalent. The sticker on the window of a new Orlando Toyota hybrid will state the amount of kWh needed to travel 100 miles as compared to how gas is needed to travel 100 miles. 

You should also keep in mind the number of miles you can drive on electric power alone. For the RAV4 Prime you can achieve 42 miles on just electric power while the Prius Prime can achieve 25 miles. In most cases, that's your commute to and from work all on electric power!

Keep it Charged

If you're someone who charges their phone while they're sleeping at night for a full battery in the morning, this one should be a no-brainer. But, for those who don't, it's time to adjust your habits. Keeping your plug-in Toyota hybrid is the most important key to reaping the benefits of EV driving. The great thing is that you have options! You can simply plug the charging cable into a port in your garage or apartment complex or you can use an EV charger while you're out and about. Whichever you prefer. 

Upgrade Your Equipment 

Some cables charge better than other and the exact same can be said for plug-in Orlando Toyota hybrid cars. The Prius and RAV4 Prime come standard with a charging cable that's rated for 110 volts. While that'll get you power in the battery pack of your Orlando Toyota hybrid, it's going to take some time. Allot at least 12 hours of charge time if you plan on using the standard cable and the standard level 1 outlet likely installed where you live. You can cut this time down significantly by, 1) upgrading the cable that comes with the Prime vehicles and, 2) upgrading your home outlets. The cable can be factory ordered from a dealership like Toyota of Orlando for a fee and upgrading the outlets in your home means much better power yield and stronger power connections. But, if you're not looking to break the bank or do too much home improvement, waiting is free. 

The Rules of Gas Still Apply

While you may be thinking that you can zip zap all over town in your EV powered Orlando Toyota hybrid and still get the 42 miles of electric driving regardless of how you're driving, think again! The rules of gasoline consumption still very much apply to EVs. Power will be consumed depending on how you drive your vehicle. Flooring it to get that 5.7 second 0-60 time will exhaust your electric power faster than you can say 1.21 gigawatts. Drive with gradual acceleration and braking, take it easy on the pedal, and you'll get your 25 or 42 miles of EV power in no time, young padawan. 

Have more questions about your Toyota hybrid? Bring it to the experts at Toyota of Orlando! Visit the dealership at 3575 Vineland Road today.