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Power Loss in 2021 Clarity?

711 Views 4 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  Ray R, 
R
I have read numerous posts about power loss going up hills while driving the Clarity. Most of the discussions mention model years 2018 and 2019.

Has anyone with a 2021 PHEV model experienced this problem? I just purchased a 2021 model and wonder if I need to either learn how to adjust the power modes (HV, HV+, EV) to prepare for ascents, or whether Honda fixed the issue with later models.

I'd greatly appreciate any thoughts and feedback. Thank you!
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E
Ray R said:
I have read numerous posts about power loss going up hills while driving the Clarity. Most of the discussions mention model years 2018 and 2019.

Has anyone with a 2021 PHEV model experienced this problem? I just purchased a 2021 model and wonder if I need to either learn how to adjust the power modes (HV, HV+, EV) to prepare for ascents, or whether Honda fixed the issue with later models.

I'd greatly appreciate any thoughts and feedback. Thank you!
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I have a '21 PHEV Touring, and have not had the described issue. I learned to actively manage the PHEV system by driving a '11 Volt for ten years, which behaves similarly.

I always use HV at ~50% SOC, when in high power situations like freeway and hilly terrain driving, to give plenty of margin for surge needs. When I forget to set it to HV, I use HV+ to get it back to 50% SOC.

This appears to be what the HV and HV+ modes are intended for on the Clarity PHEV. In fact, on the Volt, the similar setting is called "Mountain Mode".
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R
Thank you for the response! This is very helpful and good to know.

I had no idea the car would require this kind of management, but hey, it's all learning.
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obermd
If you let the battery completely exhaust the ICE simply isn't powerful enough to power this car up steep inclines at speed. Keep the battery around 50% and use HV to avoid this problem.

The Volt's Mountain Mode is smarter than the Clarity's HV Charge mode. You can turn on Mountain mode at any time and it will run the battery down to the set point (varies by model year). It will also charge the battery to the set point and then remain on. The Clarity's HV Charge mode can't be enabled until you're below half battery and turns off when you reach half battery.
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R
obermd said:
If you let the battery completely exhaust the ICE simply isn't powerful enough to power this car up steep inclines at speed. Keep the battery around 50% and use HV to avoid this problem.

The Volt's Mountain Mode is smarter than the Clarity's HV Charge mode. You can turn on Mountain mode at any time and it will run the battery down to the set point (varies by model year). It will also charge the battery to the set point and then remain on. The Clarity's HV Charge mode can't be enabled until you're below half battery and turns off when you reach half battery.
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Thank you for the response. I do wish Honda had educated customers about this issue. I'm grateful for the folks in this forum.
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