Small Hybrid that can start in battery mode?
Discussion
I am looking at a property next week that has a paved shared driveway between two properties with an area at the end in front of a bloc of garages. The garage is a reason I am considering it. My shift pattern involves a few midnight starts and having done a drive by a couple of times last week it's a quiet area.
The road is narrow and parked vehicles take up almost half the width of the road, and there's not much parking due to driveways.
I wouldn't mind a Prius and assume they can pull away in battery mode but is there anything more compact that would make getting down the road and onto the driveway so there's minimal disturbance to the neighbours?
The road is narrow and parked vehicles take up almost half the width of the road, and there's not much parking due to driveways.
I wouldn't mind a Prius and assume they can pull away in battery mode but is there anything more compact that would make getting down the road and onto the driveway so there's minimal disturbance to the neighbours?
Next version of the Aygo X will be a hybrid but it s not on sale yet (and maybe too compact).
One thing to be aware of is that it s not always possible to put the Toyota hybrids into the EV mode. The engine will start automatically if it s too cold or you turn on the windscreen demister. Will also start if the hybrid battery level is too low. There are other reasons listed in the manual as well.
On mine (an Auris), the car starts in EV mode and either the engine starts after about 10 seconds, or it stays in EV mode until I get out on the main road (I live on a housing estate). You can override the engine start by pressing the EV button in that 10 second interval after pressing the start button. However, the EV button will be ignored if the car thinks the engine needs to start.
In my experience, creeping out in EV mode usually works but you can t rely on it to work every time.
One thing to be aware of is that it s not always possible to put the Toyota hybrids into the EV mode. The engine will start automatically if it s too cold or you turn on the windscreen demister. Will also start if the hybrid battery level is too low. There are other reasons listed in the manual as well.
On mine (an Auris), the car starts in EV mode and either the engine starts after about 10 seconds, or it stays in EV mode until I get out on the main road (I live on a housing estate). You can override the engine start by pressing the EV button in that 10 second interval after pressing the start button. However, the EV button will be ignored if the car thinks the engine needs to start.
In my experience, creeping out in EV mode usually works but you can t rely on it to work every time.
Edited by plankalkul on Sunday 26th October 10:45
Edited by plankalkul on Sunday 26th October 10:46
plankalkul said:
Next version of the Aygo X will be a hybrid but it s not on sale yet (and maybe too compact).
One thing to be aware of is that it s not always possible to put the Toyota hybrids into the EV mode. The engine will start automatically if it s too cold or you turn on the windscreen demister. Will also start if the hybrid battery level is too low. There are other reasons listed in the manual as well.
On mine (an Auris), the car starts in EV mode and either the engine starts after about 10 seconds, or it stays in EV mode until I get out on the main road (I live on a housing estate). You can override the engine start by pressing the EV button in that 10 second interval after pressing the start button. However, the EV button will be ignored if the car thinks the engine needs to start.
In my experience, creeping out in EV mode usually works but you can t rely on it to work every time.
Thank you plankalkul. I'd started looking at Hybrid Yaris and a colleague has one.One thing to be aware of is that it s not always possible to put the Toyota hybrids into the EV mode. The engine will start automatically if it s too cold or you turn on the windscreen demister. Will also start if the hybrid battery level is too low. There are other reasons listed in the manual as well.
On mine (an Auris), the car starts in EV mode and either the engine starts after about 10 seconds, or it stays in EV mode until I get out on the main road (I live on a housing estate). You can override the engine start by pressing the EV button in that 10 second interval after pressing the start button. However, the EV button will be ignored if the car thinks the engine needs to start.
In my experience, creeping out in EV mode usually works but you can t rely on it to work every time.
Mission creep, Autotrader also returned an Auris estate but of course that negates the small size for getting down the road and not taking up much space once down the driveway. One of the attractions to me is that it's a relatively quiet area and I really don't want to be disturbing other people. The car will be used when the weather is really inclement.
Edited by carinaman on Sunday 26th October 11:02
carinaman said:
Thank you plankalkul. I'd started looking at Hybrid Yaris and a colleague has one.
Mission creep, Autotrader also returned an Auris estate but of course that negates the small size for getting down the road and not taking up much space once down the driveway. One of the attractions to me is that it's a relatively quiet area and I really don't want to be disturbing other people. The car will be used when the weather is really inclement.
There’s also the Yaris Cross.Mission creep, Autotrader also returned an Auris estate but of course that negates the small size for getting down the road and not taking up much space once down the driveway. One of the attractions to me is that it's a relatively quiet area and I really don't want to be disturbing other people. The car will be used when the weather is really inclement.
Edited by carinaman on Sunday 26th October 11:02
Leg room in the back of the Auris hatchback is not great; estate is better if that’s a consideration.
One thing I’ve noticed is that the engine is more likely to start if it’s the first outing of the day. On subsequent starts, the car will happily stay in EV mode until I’m doing 30 mph. So your midnight starts might not be so much of a problem if the car is used during the day.
plankalkul said:
Next version of the Aygo X will be a hybrid but it s not on sale yet (and maybe too compact).
One thing to be aware of is that it s not always possible to put the Toyota hybrids into the EV mode. The engine will start automatically if it s too cold or you turn on the windscreen demister. Will also start if the hybrid battery level is too low. There are other reasons listed in the manual as well.
On mine (an Auris), the car starts in EV mode and either the engine starts after about 10 seconds, or it stays in EV mode until I get out on the main road (I live on a housing estate). You can override the engine start by pressing the EV button in that 10 second interval after pressing the start button. However, the EV button will be ignored if the car thinks the engine needs to start.
In my experience, creeping out in EV mode usually works but you can t rely on it to work every time.
This, my neighbour has a Yaris Hybrid and I have moved it a couple of times for them. As soon as I touched the throttle the engine fired up.One thing to be aware of is that it s not always possible to put the Toyota hybrids into the EV mode. The engine will start automatically if it s too cold or you turn on the windscreen demister. Will also start if the hybrid battery level is too low. There are other reasons listed in the manual as well.
On mine (an Auris), the car starts in EV mode and either the engine starts after about 10 seconds, or it stays in EV mode until I get out on the main road (I live on a housing estate). You can override the engine start by pressing the EV button in that 10 second interval after pressing the start button. However, the EV button will be ignored if the car thinks the engine needs to start.
In my experience, creeping out in EV mode usually works but you can t rely on it to work every time.
Get a plug in hybrid if you want to guarantee it won't start up first thing - you'll have to keep the battery topped up though
BMW i3 REx
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510227...
Audi A3 e-tron
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510167...
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Mercedes A250e
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Vauxhall Astra
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510147...
BMW i3 REx
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510227...
Audi A3 e-tron
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510167...
VW Golf GTE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509306...
Mercedes A250e
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510157...
Vauxhall Astra
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510147...
Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Sunday 26th October 21:56
A Toyota hybrid will do it in EV if there is enough charge in the battery - but you have to quickly turn off the climate control and press the EV mode button as soon as you start the car.
The car allows you a few seconds to do this before it starts up the petrol engine. I regularly do this to move the car around the drive.
Yaris hybrids are ideal as the catalytic converter is mostly protected due to where it's mounted, they aren't on Auris and Prius unfortunately.
The car allows you a few seconds to do this before it starts up the petrol engine. I regularly do this to move the car around the drive.
Yaris hybrids are ideal as the catalytic converter is mostly protected due to where it's mounted, they aren't on Auris and Prius unfortunately.
A mate has a Honda CRV hybrid which can get a mile or so before firing up.
Obviously that's way too big, but the tech might be the same in the smaller Hondas?
I used to have a neighbour who worked nights, sometimes coming home at 3AM.
You hear the sound, know what it is and sleep through it.
Obviously that's way too big, but the tech might be the same in the smaller Hondas?
I used to have a neighbour who worked nights, sometimes coming home at 3AM.
You hear the sound, know what it is and sleep through it.
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