As a distance bike rider I know that if I pedal hard down a hill it helps me get up the next one.
As a prius driver would it pay off in MPG improvement if I accelerated (rather than maintain a constant speed) going down a hill in anticipation of the next one? Let's say I am going 55 MPH overall. How about going 58 downhill and slowing to 53 uphill (yes, I know it would irritate people in my lane, but think hypothetically).
It would seem that by simply coasting I would gain in battery charge coasting down and be able to use that energy at some point ahead. But if the gasoline engine is more effeciently used on its own (as opposed to charging with the associated losses in the transfer of power) is it better to accelerate moderately?
Does this make any sense? Better minds than mine are needed.
As a prius driver would it pay off in MPG improvement if I accelerated (rather than maintain a constant speed) going down a hill in anticipation of the next one? Let's say I am going 55 MPH overall. How about going 58 downhill and slowing to 53 uphill (yes, I know it would irritate people in my lane, but think hypothetically).
It would seem that by simply coasting I would gain in battery charge coasting down and be able to use that energy at some point ahead. But if the gasoline engine is more effeciently used on its own (as opposed to charging with the associated losses in the transfer of power) is it better to accelerate moderately?
Does this make any sense? Better minds than mine are needed.