Know Your Lexus | PHEV – Operational Modes
Lexus Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles – PHEVs – allow Guests to choose between four operating modes to control how the hybrid system works. Those choices are: EV – Electric Vehicle Mode; Auto EV/HV – that is, combined Auto Electric Vehicle and Hybrid Vehicle Mode; HV – or Hybrid Vehicle Mode; and Battery Charging Mode.
EV mode is the default mode. If the battery is sufficiently charged, EV mode will be automatically selected when the vehicle is first started. If you prefer to preserve your EV driving capability for later, you can start off in Hybrid Vehicle mode by pressing the EV/HV mode button located on the centre console.
Pressing the button again toggles the system back to EV mode. An indicator light in the instrument cluster identifies the mode the vehicle is in at any time. While In EV Mode, you are able to enjoy EV-only driving, without the engine starting, even if the accelerator pedal is fully depressed.
However, the engine may automatically restart if the vehicle’s speed exceeds 135 km/h or if it is needed to support the climate control system, but otherwise it remains off. While operating In Auto EV/HV mode, the system prioritizes but is not limited to electric-only driving.
When more power is required and the accelerator pedal is strongly depressed, the gasoline engine will start-up to provide maximum acceleration. This mode takes full advantage of the hybrid system’s combined power to provide the strongest acceleration available. In HV mode, which can be selected at any time by pressing the EV/HV mode button,
The vehicle is driven using both the gasoline engine and electric motor. When the battery’s state of charge is low, and cannot support driving in EV mode or Auto EV/HV mode, the system will automatically switch to HV mode, with no action required by the driver.
Using HV mode while driving on the highway is recommended to help conserve fuel and electricity. A Battery Charging Mode is provided to help recharge the battery if its state of charge drops below the level required for EV driving.
To activate, simply hold down the EV/HV mode selection button on the centre console for 3 seconds. In Battery Charging Mode, the gasoline engine will be operated to generate electricity and recharge the battery enough to provide approximately 80% of the vehicle’s potential EV driving range.
Fuel economy, when operating in Battery Charge mode, will be lower when compared to HV-mode driving because the gasoline engine runs continuously to generate electricity as well as to drive the vehicle. For more information of your vehicle’s Plug-in Hybrid System, please consult your owner’s manual. Thank you for watching this Know Your Lexus video.
Lexus Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles – PHEVs – allow Guests to choose between four operating modes to control how the hybrid system works.
