On the “EV” drive mode, your vehicle runs like an electric vehicle, only using the electric motor driven via electricity which is stored in the hybrid vehicle battery. This mode is suitable for driving in residential areas in the early morning or in the middle of the night or in the covered parking lot because you do not have to worry about noise or exhaust gases.

Press the switch to turn on the electric motor power manually.

The indicator light in the instrument cluster comes on. Pressing the switch again will turn off this function and the indicator light.

Caution! The driver should pay full attention around the vehicle especially when it is driven only by the electric motor (with the gasoline engine stopped). People in the immediate area might misjudge the hybrid vehicle movement based on the absence of the regular engine noise.

In the following conditions, the “EV” drive mode may not be turned on. In this case, the message appears I the multi-information display and a beep sounds.
-The hybrid system gets hot. (after the vehicle is left in hot weather, after driving on the slopes or high speed driving etc.)
-The hybrid system gets cold. After the vehicle has long been left below 0 C (3 2F).
-During gasoline engine warm up
-The hybrid vehicle battery assembly charging level is 3 or lower.
-The vehicle speed is about 45 km/h (28 mph) or over
-The accelerator pedal is depressed strongly or on the slopes.
-The defroster is in use

Turning on in cold weather

When the engine is cold (for example early morning), it will start warming up about 10 seconds after the READY light comes on. During the warming up, the EV drive mode cannot be turned on. (The time before the engine starting varies depending on the temperature, air conditioning condition, etc.) To use the EV drive mode, press the switch before the engine starts.

In the following conditions, the “EV” drive mode may be automatically cancelled whilst driving.In this case, a beep sounds and the “EV” drive mode indicator light flashes three times and then goes out.
-The hybrid vehicle battery assembly charging level is 2 or lower.
-The vehicle speed exceeds about 45 km/h (28 mph).
-The accelerator pedal is depressed strongly or on the slopes.

Although the available driving range differs depending on factors such as the hybrid vehicle charging level or air conditioning condition, it usually ranges from about several hundred meters to 2 km (1.24 miles) when the vehicle speed is less than about 45 km/h (28 mph).