Multiple Drive Modes of Honda Accord Plug in

[tom007]

The technology in the Honda PHEV engine room is a four-cylinder gasoline engine with two integrated electric motors, one a starter-generator and the other effectively an electric continuously variable transmission. The 6.75 kWh lithium-ion battery pack with 100 prismatic cells, supplied by GS Yuasa, takes up about a third of the trunk. The gas engine provides 137 hp or 102 kW, the electric motor adds 124 kW, and by the curious math and torque curves of hybrid technology, the combination adds to a maximum 196 hp or 146 kW.
By default, a fully-charged Accord PHEV starts in battery-only mode and can run battery-only at speeds up to 60 mph. The gasoline engine kicks in when the battery runs down, at high speeds, or if the electric motor needs help. A console button gives the driver options. A quick press shifts from EV to to hybrid. A longer press forcibly recharges the batteries. Normally this doesn’t make sense because it’s inefficient. But you might want battery power in reserve for climbing steep slopes ahead, or for silently creeping in the driveway late at night.

The Accord PHEV picks up efficiency by using more lightweight aluminum panels, aerodynamic alloy wheels, brake regeneration, an aero-tuned front end, and wind-shaping plastic underbody panels. At speeds over 50 mph, wind resistance requires more power than engine and road friction.

As with other hybrids and PHEVs, the Accord PHEV comes with a 120-volt charging cable that works on any outlet. A full charge takes three hours. But if you get the optional 220-volt charger for your garage or find a public charging station, Honda says a full charge takes less than an hour and 80% charge comes up in a half hour.

 

[damon]

The technology in the Honda PHEV engine room is a four-cylinder gasoline engine with two integrated electric motors, one a starter-generator and the other effectively an electric continuously variable transmission. The 6.75 kWh lithium-ion battery pack with 100 prismatic cells, supplied by GS Yuasa, takes up about a third of the trunk. The gas engine provides 137 hp or 102 kW, the electric motor adds 124 kW, and by the curious math and torque curves of hybrid technology, the combination adds to a maximum 196 hp or 146 kW.
By default, a fully-charged Accord PHEV starts in battery-only mode and can run battery-only at speeds up to 60 mph. The gasoline engine kicks in when the battery runs down, at high speeds, or if the electric motor needs help. A console button gives the driver options. A quick press shifts from EV to to hybrid. A longer press forcibly recharges the batteries. Normally this doesn’t make sense because it’s inefficient. But you might want battery power in reserve for climbing steep slopes ahead, or for silently creeping in the driveway late at night.

The Accord PHEV picks up efficiency by using more lightweight aluminum panels, aerodynamic alloy wheels, brake regeneration, an aero-tuned front end, and wind-shaping plastic underbody panels. At speeds over 50 mph, wind resistance requires more power than engine and road friction.

As with other hybrids and PHEVs, the Accord PHEV comes with a 120-volt charging cable that works on any outlet. A full charge takes three hours. But if you get the optional 220-volt charger for your garage or find a public charging station, Honda says a full charge takes less than an hour and 80% charge comes up in a half hour.

The 2014 Accord Plug-in Hybrid will have three different driving operations: all-electric EV drive, gasoline-electric Hybrid Drive and direct-engine drive. The two-motor hybrid system allows the powertrain to move seamlessly between the three operations so drivers can customize their commute and maximize the efficiency of their drive. The total driving range rating for an Accord Plug-in Hybrid with a full tank of gasoline, without external battery recharging, is targeted to reach over 500 miles.

 

[xiaoyu80305]

A longer press forcibly recharges the batteries. Normally this doesn’t make sense because it’s inefficient. But you might want battery power in reserve for climbing steep slopes ahead, or for silently creeping in the driveway late at night.

This mode is the same with Chevy VOLT's hybrid mode after battery depleted. I thought that accord limited this mode under 45 mph, which would improve the efficiency comparing to VOLT. According to your comment, it seems this mode is not very useful. Why does Accord go through this complicated way to not gain much?

 

[damon]

A longer press forcibly recharges the batteries. Normally this doesn’t make sense because it’s inefficient. But you might want battery power in reserve for climbing steep slopes ahead, or for silently creeping in the driveway late at night.

This mode is the same with Chevy VOLT's hybrid mode after battery depleted. I thought that accord limited this mode under 45 mph, which would improve the efficiency comparing to VOLT. According to your comment, it seems this mode is not very useful. Why does Accord go through this complicated way to not gain much?

I think it's because the feature increases options. According to Tom007, this feature helps in steep climbing. I think they meant the Accord plug in to be ready for all kinds of journey.

 

[nudrat]

You can use the Honda website - when I entered a zip code in a non-California or New York state they listed dealerships hundreds of miles away in California which makes me think it was listing dealerships that actually had - or will have - or are trained on - the Honda Accord plugin.