Planning Your Driving - Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid Owner's Manual

08 Starting and driving

Planning your driving

It is important to plan carefully when driving in
electric mode in order to achieve the longest
possible driving distance.
Utilise electric operation as much as possible:
•
Find out where the charging stations are
located.
•
Prioritise choosing a parking space with a
charging station.
•
Balance electricity consumption with the
accelerator pedal, and by these means
use the advantages of the electric motor.
WARNING
Remember that the car does not emit any
engine noise when it is only powered by
the electric motor and may therefore be
difficult to notice by children, pedestrians,
cyclists and animals. This applies in partic-
ular at low speeds, such as in car parks.
NOTE
Make a habit of always starting a journey
with fully-charged hybrid battery.
Driving techniques
The electric motor acts as both engine and
alternator. During braking (p. 269) the brake
08
force is used to recharge the hybrid battery
(p. 286) - energy that otherwise would have
been lost as heat energy.
276
Here is some advice that reduces power con-
sumption (allowing longer possible mileage)
without the need for travelling time to
increase or driving pleasure to decrease.
•
Do not hold the car stationary on a hill
with the accelerator pedal. Use the foot
brake instead.
•
Use engine braking and smooth operation
of the foot brake when braking - this
recharges the hybrid battery and extends
the possible mileage with the electric
motor.
•
High speed increases power consump-
tion considerably due to increased wind
resistance - doubling speed increases
wind resistance 4 times.
•
Maintain the car regularly - follow Volvo's
recommended service intervals.
•
Towing another car consumes a lot of
electricity - use the AWD mode. This then
charges the hybrid battery, in combina-
tion with improving the car's driving cha-
racteristics and roadholding, see Drive
system - drive modes (p. 258).
Outside temperature
The electric motor, electronics and batteries
work best at approx. 25 °C. When the car is
connected to an electrical socket it is condi-
tioned (p. 129) to its optimal temperature
range. If the car is started in cold weather or
goes beyond its permitted temperature range
while driving then the fuel heater starts and, if
required, the internal combustion engine
starts automatically so that heating takes
place. The car can be driven electrically but
with reduced power if the temperature
becomes too low.
Similarly, the system may need to be cooled
down when driving in hot conditions.
NOTE
If the outside temperature drops extremely
low then the diesel engine will always be
running.
Power consumers
The more power consumers in the car that
are switched on (e.g. stereo, electrically
heated windows, door mirrors, seats, etc.) the
higher the energy consumption.
Related information
•
Economical driving (p. 285)
•
Winter driving (p. 279)