XC40 T5 Recharge - loss of power at 58mph in EV mode

XC40 T5 Recharge - loss of power at 58mph in EV mode

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Moonhawk

Original Poster:

10,730 posts

219 months

Tuesday 7th February 2023
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We bought an XC40 T5 plug in hybrid (recharge) a few months back. It's also had the polestar engine tweak applied.

We have been experiencing an odd little problem.

When we are driving it in electric mode (doesn't matter whether it's in Hybrid or Pure driving mode) and we are accelerating smoothly, even on a flat road - when the vehicle gets to around 58mph, it experiences a sudden drop in power/acceleration.

I'd almost describe the feeling as if it's trying to change to a higher gear but gets confused for a second - then it resumes power/accelerating up to 70mph after a second or so with no further issues. It does this whether or not the acceleration power needle is at or below the top of the power indicator band, so I don't think it's a case of hitting a power draw down limit on the batteries.

It doesn't appear to do this when operating in petrol mode (or at least I haven't noticed it). It's pretty reproducible happening almost every time I drive with gradual acceleration on NSL roads - and always happens at about 58mph.

Anyone else experienced something similar on an Electric or plug in hybrid Volvo?

E-bmw

9,219 posts

152 months

Wednesday 8th February 2023
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If I understand you correctly it is basically only happening when not in ICE mode.

If so (and I stress I have no knowledge of your car) could it not just be the handover of the electric power to ICE power?

Moonhawk

Original Poster:

10,730 posts

219 months

Thursday 9th February 2023
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E-bmw said:
If so (and I stress I have no knowledge of your car) could it not just be the handover of the electric power to ICE power?
This only happens when driving and accelerating gradually in full electric mode. If you accelerate more aggressively (particularly in hybrid mode), the ICE kicks in and the transition is pretty seamless.

Scrump

22,004 posts

158 months

Thursday 9th February 2023
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Volvo Cars said:
While driving, it sometimes seems as if I lose power when accelerating between 80-90 km/h, why?

In hybrid cars, the electric motor is installed in combination with the transmission. When the electric motor is used, it starts in second gear and changes to fourth gear at high speeds (80-90 km/h).

When changing from second to fourth gear, at the same time as accelerating, the engine loses power, i.e. the torque from the motor is reduced for short period in order for changing gear to be possible. This behaviour is normal.
https://www.volvocars.com/en-th/support/manuals/xc40-recharge-plug-in-hybrid/2020w17/starting-and-driving/gearbox/frequently-asked-questions-about-changing-gear-in-electric-operation

E-bmw

9,219 posts

152 months

Friday 10th February 2023
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Moonhawk said:
E-bmw said:
If so (and I stress I have no knowledge of your car) could it not just be the handover of the electric power to ICE power?
This only happens when driving and accelerating gradually in full electric mode. If you accelerate more aggressively (particularly in hybrid mode), the ICE kicks in and the transition is pretty seamless.
So in that case it is being deliberately slow changing over when in EV mode.

Makes sense to me, in EV mode it is trying to use the ICE as late as possible.

Probably perfectly normal then.