If I charge my PHEV and drive in cold weather, the car starts the engine and lets it idle, not engaged, to make hot water for the heater. This takes forever to make heat and just wastes gas while running on electricity. I find it much better to switch to Hybrid Mode, making the engine warm-up faster and getting some propulsion out of it. I then switch back to electric mode when the heat comes up and I can turn the heat off. I live in New England where the electric rates are $0.37/kWh. This translates to about $5.00/gal for equivalent milage in the Tucson using a level 1 charger (only 80% efficient). It cost more to run on electric than gas and having the engine idling along not providing any propulsion adds to the pain. So when the outside temperature is going to be below my temperature setting, I don't charge my car, and it operates like a hybrid. It would be nice if Hyundai had a smart mode that would operate as a hybrid with extended engine off times to allow some/most electric operation with the heat coming from occasional hybrid engine operation. Has anyone seen any programming changes like this being proposed or available?
