Toyota touts Highlander hybrid's EV mode button in TV ad
I saw a TV commercial last night for the Toyota Highlander hybrid that highlighted the EV Mode button. The commercial was about a new father that constantly woke up the baby with the sound of the car as he arrived home. This problem is solved in the commercial by pressing the EV button, allowing the father to silently park, before walking into his home. The father's efforts are dashed however as the commercial ends with him accidentally fumbling something, making a noise and waking the baby anyway. I think this may be the first commercial in America to feature the EV mode button. The Japanese Prius has an EV mode button but it was removed from the US Prius for some reason.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
A5-14 6:16AM (11/07/2007)
One Mile Range = Gimmick.
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Jason K 3:45PM (3/27/2009)
Not a gimmick if your kid's school is 1/2 mile away...golf cart mode FTW!
Phil L. 8:56AM (11/07/2007)
The missing button is perhaps a concession to protect the battery from litigous US drivers.
But it's relatively easy to add the button; the internal functionality is there, even in the US model. One approach here:
http://www.calcars.org/prius-evbutton-install.pdf
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Karkus 11:56AM (11/07/2007)
a5-14 - I like to think of it as a bonus instead of a gimmick. You're trying to compare it to a PHEV, but all hybrids produced today are HEVs and are not supposed to be able to go very far on electricity. Some of them (Hondas, GMs) don't run on electricity only at all. So this is a bonus even if the commercial is cheesy.
It can be used for various other purposes:
1. Getting to a gas station when you run out of gas - in most urban settings, you can get to a gas station in a mile.
2. Driving into areas where ICEs are banned (city centers in Europe)
3. Improving MPG. However, you have to use it appropriately for that to happen. Some people probably lower their MPG trying to do this.
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Bill 4:22PM (7/08/2008)
Does the EVmode installation void the warranty? How many miles can you go at 30mph. Does it shorten the batteries overall life?
Karkus 4:24PM (7/08/2008)
The Highlander EV will be a factory option, so it's covered by the warranty.
But if you're asking about the aftermarket EV mode for the Prius...
it will get you about a mile or so (at up to 34 mph), depending on how full your battery is when you start.
It shouldn't affect battery life because the software in the car is very conservative and will only let you get down to 3 battery bars (not down to one bar like when you drive up steep mountains). Plus, it won't let you use EV under certain other conditions (really cold temps , etc)
There may be a small risk you take with your warranty.
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