I’ve been driving my 2025 Toyota Camry for three days now, and so far, I’m loving it. But I’ve got one question: is the EV mode button actually useful?
It only works under 25 mph and when the battery is charged enough. But at those speeds, the car usually runs on electric power automatically anyway. So what’s the point? Is it just a gimmick, or am I missing something?
I’m also on day 3 with my Camry! From what I’ve read, EV mode is for times when you don’t want noise or emissions, like backing out of the driveway or driving slowly in a parking garage. Congrats on your new car!
Back when I had a 2007 Prius, I retrofitted an EV button. It was great for moving the car short distances, like pulling it out of the garage or shifting it around in the driveway without starting the engine unnecessarily.
I use it on my 2023 Yaris for small sections of road where I know I’ll be driving slowly. It also helps in traffic to avoid idling. If you drive carefully, you can stretch it to about 50 mph in EV mode. It’s not game-changing, but it’s useful in specific situations.
I use it late at night in my neighborhood so I don’t wake the neighbors. Not that the engine is loud, but still. Keep in mind the hybrid battery isn’t very big, so you can’t go far in EV mode.
T.gwendew said:
I use it late at night in my neighborhood so I don’t wake the neighbors. Not that the engine is loud, but still. Keep in mind the hybrid battery isn’t very big, so you can’t go far in EV mode.
Honestly, the fake electric sounds are louder than the engine, lol.
I work at Toyota, and yeah, the EV mode button is pretty useless. It’ll let you go about a mile under 25 mph, but the car switches to EV mode automatically anyway.