Kia has committed to providing cutting-edge hybrid technology at an affordable price along with world-class aesthetics, performance, and safety. Therefore, there won’t be anything you have to give up to pursue environmental responsibility and increased fuel efficiency. Discover more about the cutting-edge technology used by Kia and why the Optima Hybrid is not your typical hybrid.
BATTERY & MOTOR The automobile can be driven by the electric motor in EV (electronic-only) mode, using just the battery’s stored energy. Additionally, it aids the gas engine in hybrid operation, lowering fuel usage. Compared to conventional hybrid batteries, the advanced lithium polymer battery is lighter, smaller, and more potent.
START Depending on driving circumstances and desired acceleration, the all-new Optima Hybrid may either use its idle stop and go technology to run in either EV or gas/electric (hybrid) mode, or it can launch from a stop in EV mode up to 30 mph.
UPHILL The Optima Hybrid uses gas and electricity to deliver and/or maintain optimal performance when traveling uphill.
DOWNHILL The Optima Hybrid uses idle stop and go technology to maximize its electric power when traveling downhill. The gas engine will automatically turn off to save fuel if it is not needed. Additionally, the Regenerative Braking System charges the battery each time the brakes are used.
GAUGE FOR POWER RATION features a number of displays that let you know whether the car is running on its gas engine or electric powertrain. The hybrid battery is recharged while the engine is running, as seen on the Power Reserve screen. The amount that the hybrid battery is recharged each time you brake is shown on the Regeneration screen by the regenerative battery-charging technology.
LEVEL ECO The performance of the car is displayed on the Supervision meter cluster. More leaves/flowers appear as you drive more sparingly. The system adds a point to the previously saved ECO Score when the ECO level reaches its maximum value. The more points you get, the more leaves light up. For better fuel efficiency, the cluster also computes instant fuel economy every 2.5 minutes.
PERFORMANCE With 206 total horsepower1 and a class-leading 40 mpg highway1, the hybrid offers a level of performance & efficiency that its main rivals, the Camry, Accord, and Fusion, simply cannot equal. Furthermore, the brand-new Optima Hybrid is just as powerful as its non-hybrid sibling.
A seven-inch high-resolution touch screen display in the center console that shows useful information like the amount of mpg you are now using and your trip’s average mpg is among the many features included with the PREMIUM TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE 2. It also has a navigation system and a display for the rear camera.
GUIDE FOR HYBRID SYSTEMS A variety of improved LCD display screens are included in the Premium Technology Package2 to assist you keep an eye on your driving and hybrid operation system. These enable you to increase your overall fuel efficiency and form fuel-efficient driving habits, both of which will result in cost savings.
THE NEW OPTIMA HYBRID FOR 2011 fuel-efficient and high in adrenaline The first-ever hybrid Kia is made to appear equally as good as its non-hybrid counterpart. It is also simple to understand why it is not your typical hybrid with its class-leading 206 total horsepower, class-leading 40 MPG/HWY1, and a long list of thoughtful luxury and cutting-edge technology.
In This Article...
What does EV on a hybrid vehicle mean?
Only hybrid vehicles can drive in EV (short for Electric Vehicle) mode, which is significantly more specific in its applications than other driving modes. When operating in electric-only mode, a car only uses its battery for electricity.
Is driving in EV mode better?
People have mentioned driving in EV mode for short distances or whatever, and switching to HV mode when entering a highway because EV mode is less effective on the highway, or should I say at highway speed. I don’t understand this argument, and I believe it is founded on a false assumption, but I’d be interested in hearing different opinions.
Yes, EV mode is less effective on the highway than in town. In HV mode, the same holds true. It is a non-linear relationship, so doubling your speed requires much more than double the power to offset the increase in drag. The more quickly you travel, the more drag the vehicle must fight with. This has nothing to do with the source of the force that propels the vehicle ahead. In most circumstances, you will obtain fewer EV miles on the highway than in town, but the same is true for HV miles. No of how you divide up the EV/HV driving, if you have a 100-mile trip that includes 50 miles on the highway and 50 miles traveling at 40 mph off the highway, you’ll consume nearly the same amount of (combined) electricity and gas.
The only exception I can think of is that if the engine is operating, you can use waste heat from the heater core to heat the cabin without using additional energy.
Now, I do continue to think that AUTO EV/HV can be worthwhile to use for extended highway trips. This makes it possible for the vehicle to use less current from the battery while still carrying heavy loads, which is better for the battery and requires less a/c use to keep the battery cool.
When ought one to operate a vehicle in electric mode?
Although hybrid and electric vehicles are still very new on the market, they have advanced significantly since the Toyota Prius made headlines across the world in the late 1990s. While hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs) received a lot of flak for a while, their popularity has increased.
Some hybrid automobiles have a plethora of controls that can make you feel a little overwhelmed when you’re sitting inside. Some automobiles more closely resemble an airplane’s cockpit. However, some of these controls come with a variety of driving settings that are only offered in hybrid vehicles.
Compared to other driving modes like EVO, Power, Sport, and Snow, EV mode has more specific uses. When a hybrid is operating in electric-only mode, its battery is the only source of pulling power. This results in a more effective drive, just like with all-electric vehicles.
Most hybrid vehicles can only operate in this mode for around a mile when certain circumstances are met. For instance, driving in EV mode prevents you from traveling quickly. Only very low speeds are feasible because of the insufficient power produced.
Due to these limitations, it is advised to just use the EV mode when traveling a short distance without needing to travel at a high pace. This can happen while you exit the garage or search for a parking space.
When using EV mode, you must exercise caution because it effectively silences the vehicle. This implies that other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians could not hear you coming. When operating a vehicle in EV mode, always pay strict attention to your surroundings.
Gas is used in EV mode?
For instance, Toyota claimed the gas engine will start on the 2021 RAV4 Prime, which has a listed 68 km range, at speeds over 135 km/h and when the outside temperature is below around minus 10 degrees Celsius.
Therefore, driving a RAV4 Prime in much of Canada can be done without using any gas at all for at least three seasons.
“When the battery is fully charged, it is possible to travel exclusively in electric mode without the gas engine starting, according to Romaric Lartilleux, a representative for Toyota Canada. ” Actually, several Prius Prime and RAV4 Prime owners have driven their vehicles for a number of thousand miles without using any petrol at all.
Range may vary
On the RAV4 Prime, you can select an EV mode that only uses the battery or a hybrid mode that combines gas and electricity.
Depending on the ambient temperature, how fast you drive, and how rapidly you accelerate, your pure electric range will change. Range could be greater than 68 kilometers or somewhat less.
“Depending on how you drive, certain RAV4 Prime users have achieved ranges of 80 or 85 kilometers, according to consultant Yves Racette, who specializes in educating technicians about EVs and hybrids. ” You lose range if you apply too much force on the accelerator. that also applies to gas cars, but most people are unconcerned about that.
I test-drove the RAV4 Prime for a few days to find out for myself. I misinterpreted a label and held down a button that allows you to use the engine to recharge the battery once during more than 100 km of driving, for roughly two seconds.
When the range dropped to 13 kilometers, I charged once over night. I averaged a range of 74 km, and the gas tank never went low.
Electric only?
What distinguishes an EV from a PHEV and a traditional hybrid? In conventional hybrids, the gas motor charges a smaller battery.
You frequently use both battery and gas power because an electric motor engages to assist you obtain better gas mileage.
While some vehicles feature an EV mode, driving entirely on electricity isn’t possible for very long. You might only travel a couple hundred meters, depending on the car.
The batteries in PHEVs are charged by plugging them in. They have a less electric range than EVs but a longer range than hybrids.
The advertised electric range for the 38 PHEV models available in Canada ranges from 24 kilometers in a 2021 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-hybrid to 98 kilometers in a 2021 Karma Revero.
Some PHEVs may transition between EV and hybrid mode more frequently. That implies that even if it is only for a brief period of time, you are still utilizing gas and generating carbon dioxide.
For instance, the 76 km electric range of Honda’s Clarity vehicle, which was canceled this year. However, Honda Canada stated that if you depress the gas pedal past 75%, the Clarity’s gas engine will start.
The Crosstrek PHEV from Subaru has a 24 km range on battery alone, but if you press the gas pedal or turn up the heat or air conditioning, the gas engine could start.
The Crosstrek’s engine will start running even if you don’t press all the way down on the gas pedal since it is built to gently burn through the gas in the tank rather than leaving it in the system, according to Subaru Canada.
Substitute for an EV?
So, if you want to drive electric most of the time but still experience range anxiety, should you think about a PHEV?
400 km of EV range is now becoming more typical. However, a PHEV can make sense if you want to travel further without stopping to recharge or if you need a larger SUV.
Additionally, most PHEVs have more horsepower than their gas-only counterparts due to the additional oomph provided by their electric powertrain.
But in all likelihood, you’ll need gas throughout the majority of Canada during the winter.
According to Racette, “PHEVs are basically constructed for running the gasoline engine in the winter.”
But I believe it’s a wise first step for those who aren’t quite ready to go completely electric.
What is EV mode used for?
Only hybrid vehicles, like the Toyota Prius, may operate in electric vehicle mode, and unlike other modes, it has very specific applications. In essence, a car’s battery is the only source of electricity when it is operating in electric vehicle mode.
Although it results in far more efficient driving, this does imply that the car has less power available to it than it normally would. As a result, using the electric vehicle mode should only be done in limited circumstances when the automobile is driving at extremely low speeds, and it should only be done for a maximum of one mile at a time.
What distinguishes an electric vehicle from a hybrid?
Different electric or hybrid car models are frequently mentioned, however they are not the same thing. The main distinction between the two is that an electric car only uses electric energy that is stored in a battery, whereas a hybrid automobile uses both conventional petrol and electricity.
How does Eco Mode work?
The power output of various systems on the car is controlled by Eco Mode. For instance, the Eco Mode system may control the amount of air conditioning, the heat in the seats, and other systems that could tax the engine and electrical system of the car.
What models have Eco Mode?
The Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, Honda Civic, Honda Accord, Nissan Sentra, Nissan Altima, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Kia K5, Ford Escape, Ford EcoSport, Chevy Trax, Chevy Equinox, and the Chevy Silverado 1500 are a few of the top vehicles with Eco Mode.
Can I use Eco Mode on the highway?
You shouldn’t utilize Eco Mode while driving on the highway. This is so that Eco Mode can prevent acceleration. You will need the vehicle’s acceleration power to keep up with highway driving when you are on the highway.
Does Eco Mode drain the battery?
The battery won’t be drained by Eco Mode. The system is made to control the power output of specific vehicle functions, which places minimal demands on the battery.
Can Eco Mode hurt my engine?
There is no proof that Eco Mode can damage the engine of your car. On a highway, however, there is no benefit to switching to Eco Mode.
Can you turn off Eco Mode while driving?
Almost all automobiles allow you to disable Eco Mode while driving. The technology of the car will typically ask you to confirm before turning off Eco Mode.
Does Eco Mode change the driving experience?
The purpose of Eco Mode is to control output on specific vehicle functions. The result will be that the car won’t be able to accelerate quickly. However, if you are traveling at a modest speed, you shouldn’t encounter any changes while driving.
What’s the difference between Eco Mode and Sport Mode?
While Sport Mode keeps an automatic transmission vehicle in gear, Eco Mode limits your vehicle’s output. The purpose of Sport Mode is to increase the throttle’s sensitivity and quicken your response.