Driving a hybrid
Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 10:22 pm
I have recently taken delivery on my first hybrid car, principally for commuting into London. It is a Panamera S E-Hybrid, which is a plug-in hybrid (i.e. is capable of being recharged from a power socket, as well as by the engine).
It's been an interesting time beginning to figure out the most fuel efficient way to drive the car - e.g. what proportion of the journey to do in full E-mode (it will do about 10-11 miles of urban driving in that mode), or in normal, hybrid mode (where the system decides the best combination of battery and petrol power (within the limit of not depleting the battery too far)).
But what is also interesting is the adaptations I've had to / chosen to make to my driving style. One of the main features of the car is that it will coast whenever it can. So it will switch off the engine almost as soon as one lifts off the gas pedal. There is a small amount of "engine" braking, due to the electric motor, which remains engaged, but there is far less engine braking overall than a normal car. Braking is also different due to the fact the brakes work on a combination of regenerative braking (via the e-motor) and hydraulic braking. The pedal feel can vary as the car comes to a stop.
In adapting to these features, I've been lifting off earlier than I otherwise would, to provide a longer coasting period and to allow for the reduced engine braking. I am also braking earlier and more softly, to use the regenerative braking to best effect (i.e. not bring in the normal brakes).
It's also required a degree of discipline not to be distracted by all the fancy power transfer displays!
In any event, it's a taste of the future. Certainly the E-mode in London is fantastic. The electric motor generates just under 90hp, so it is not fast, but just brisk enough for London traffic (given the car weights 2 tonnes). But what is lovely is the supremely quiet and smooth progress one can make. Of course, one final thing of which I am aware is the fact the car makes almost no noise, so I am more alert to pedestrians and cyclists potentially not being aware of the car's presence.
So, an interesting experience, and one that is fiscally good too - £5k contribution from the Government to buy the car; no congestion charge; no VED and a 100% writing down allowance (as it is a business asset in my firm). And hopefully I will find a way to drive it to its theoretical best mpg of 90 plus!
Cheers
It's been an interesting time beginning to figure out the most fuel efficient way to drive the car - e.g. what proportion of the journey to do in full E-mode (it will do about 10-11 miles of urban driving in that mode), or in normal, hybrid mode (where the system decides the best combination of battery and petrol power (within the limit of not depleting the battery too far)).
But what is also interesting is the adaptations I've had to / chosen to make to my driving style. One of the main features of the car is that it will coast whenever it can. So it will switch off the engine almost as soon as one lifts off the gas pedal. There is a small amount of "engine" braking, due to the electric motor, which remains engaged, but there is far less engine braking overall than a normal car. Braking is also different due to the fact the brakes work on a combination of regenerative braking (via the e-motor) and hydraulic braking. The pedal feel can vary as the car comes to a stop.
In adapting to these features, I've been lifting off earlier than I otherwise would, to provide a longer coasting period and to allow for the reduced engine braking. I am also braking earlier and more softly, to use the regenerative braking to best effect (i.e. not bring in the normal brakes).
It's also required a degree of discipline not to be distracted by all the fancy power transfer displays!
In any event, it's a taste of the future. Certainly the E-mode in London is fantastic. The electric motor generates just under 90hp, so it is not fast, but just brisk enough for London traffic (given the car weights 2 tonnes). But what is lovely is the supremely quiet and smooth progress one can make. Of course, one final thing of which I am aware is the fact the car makes almost no noise, so I am more alert to pedestrians and cyclists potentially not being aware of the car's presence.
So, an interesting experience, and one that is fiscally good too - £5k contribution from the Government to buy the car; no congestion charge; no VED and a 100% writing down allowance (as it is a business asset in my firm). And hopefully I will find a way to drive it to its theoretical best mpg of 90 plus!
Cheers