My new to me 2013 RX450H shows the battery state at about 75-80% or so. My driving has been generally a 6 mile commute each way with average speeds of around 25MPH. Theres a 2 miles stretch at about 55MPH. Should the battery reach 100% charged at some point? I tried using EV mode to move the car in my driveway and it was unavailable? This hybrid, brand, and vehicle is all new to me. Thanks for any info and insight.

 

No, the hybrid battery will rarely if ever, reach 100% in the visual display. It's all normal. Just let it do it's thing and don't worry with it.

IMHO, owning a 2013, EV (or "stealth mode" as some of us refer to it) seems more elusive to engage than what it was on my previous 2006 RX400h. There are many reasons why EV can't be engaged or when the RX450h will cancel itself out of that mode. Check your owners manual, starting on p217 for the long list of considerations... You'll see there a number of likely reasons in your situation EV won't come on.

...do a few searches and scan this forum for more info when you get a chance. It's a great thing to do on an early morning with a good cup of coffee, or on the other end of the day with your favorite beverage. There are older threads on both subjects, and may more you may find useful if you'd like to pursue them.

Enjoy that RXh!

 

The most common situation that will result in the display showing maximum charge occurs when descending a long hill. As Bert says, the vehicle will never purposefully attempt to charge to max, always leaves the door open for some energy recovery from braking/coasting. If you do reach that point, the vehicle will use that excess as soon as it can to bring it back to the "almost max" level.

 

Andy is right. I have a half mile hill I go down each morning. Brakes are needed with the blind turns and occasional deer. I've had the battery almost fully charged with just the bar in the battery terminals missing once. But most of the time I don't pay attention to that screen and let the RXh figure it out. It's smarter than us

 

The Hybrid synergy drive & BCM (battery control module are designed to keep the state of charge between 40 & 80%

This range is shown to the driver as 0 - 100% so do not worry it is purposely protecting the battery pack from extremes a necessary sacrifice to increase longevity

 

OP, you may find this of interest to you: http://ae.pwr.wroc.pl/filez/20110606...HEV_Toyota.pdf

You can thank me by posting something that you've discovered in your quest.

You may wish to look at the dismantling guides that I've posted.