A question for all plug-in hybrid electric vehicle owners: what happens when you switch to EV mode?

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KARlosfuentes
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Posts: 107
Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2021 11:50 pm

Dear Sirs,

Is anybody experiencing any problems with the electric vehicle's performance while travelling on highways at consistent speeds of 100-110 m/h (70 mph)?
Until September of 2025, I did not have any. We were driving a car that was two years old at the time.

But now I can do 70–75 mph on the highway in EV mode for little more than 10 km. The EV distance decreases as my speed increases. When the car's acceleration becomes completely nonexistent, it will automatically switch out of EV mode and into petrol. Simultaneously, the battery indicator indicates a considerable amount of remaining range, hovering around 60–45%. EV in "NORMAL" mode returns after a while, and I can switch back to EV after a few more minutes. However, the vehicle remains unresponsive, and any attempt to accelerate or "hard" will result in the reversal of EV mode. Every step of my everyday commute is inside a highway of around 18 miles (~30 km). Some part of me is becoming too hot and needs to chill off. However, what? How about a battery? Does it have an inverter? The engine?

I used to be able to commute at 130 km/h without stopping, but now I can't. Being the slowest vehicle on the highway or travelling at 100 km/h won't save an EV in the long run.
Before, I could go 2000–2500 kilometres on a single tank of gas; today, 1300 km is a triumph.

Although the CX90 PHEV is a larger and heavier vehicle, I did find several comparable anecdotes about it on Reddit. However, I am not the one.
Since there are no faults, the dealer is unable to detect the issue.
Having to give up my former commuting methods is driving me crazy, but I can tolerate shaky suspension and gearbox.

Would you mind sharing your experience with me?
Are you looking for advice on how to contact the dealer or Mazda directly?
Much obliged.
Jul4ster
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Posts: 142
Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2019 7:15 pm

Turning off EV priority will prevent power loss just before it switches to ICE, which is a usual occurrence when temperatures are too low.
Make sure that every update has been done via the dealer, since software upgrades have helped reduce this to some extent.
KARlosfuentes
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Posts: 107
Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2021 11:50 pm

No real winter here; it occurs whether I experience temperatures of 0 or 15 degrees Celsius in the same manner. The only difference is the predicted range, however when it happens, the battery is half full. In colder weather, 14-25 km is considered usual.
Additionally, when in EV mode, I am unable to turn off the ignition and go normally; the vehicle will not transition to ICE mode even after a brief 5-minute halt. Using local roads instead than the highway also prevents it from switching to ICE. You may even travel all the way when the highway is backed up and sluggish. But I am unable to do that while the cruise control is set to 110 kilometres. I fail to comprehend it.


Could you kindly clarify the reasoning behind it if it is really normal? When it's very cold outside, I may be able to grasp this, but right now it's just too hot.
Thomas_Green78
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Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2022 6:20 pm

Then you should use MDARS to update the software; there are a lot of updates. Additionally, as I said before, have you verified that the EV preferred mode is disabled?
KARlosfuentes
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Posts: 107
Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2021 11:50 pm

It was made in Japan, not America, and it's for the 2023 European Union market.
My automobile is the only one that gets recalls.
I still don't understand why, while driving at a steady speed above 100 km/h, EV mode turns off power at 50% battery. Moreover, it failed to do so in the previous year.

The only change is the gearbox, which was worsened by recalls last summer. Possibly they also damaged the EV.

To my knowledge, not a single electric vehicle requires you to pull over when the battery is halfway dead or else the vehicle would abruptly shut off if the power goes off.
Thomas_Green78
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Posts: 134
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2022 6:20 pm

It has the same powertrain and very comparable software. Not all software upgrades are accounted for in recalls.
Japan is where they're all made.


Built on the new Large Product Group platform, the CX-60 is an important model for the European and Japanese markets. It is produced in Japan.
CX-70: Like other big SUVs, this one is assembled in Japan (at the Hofu facility) and sold in North America.
Production of the CX-80 began in Japan at Hofu Plant No. 2 for export to Europe and Japan. The vehicle had three rows of seating.
A North American model, the CX-90 is a product of Japan's Hofu manufacturing and is renowned for its sturdy construction and high-end feel.

My main point is that you should use MDARS to update the modules.
Additionally, MDARS will display any recorded faults. Additionally, you may see your battery's health status at this link: State of Health.
Regarding these matters, you must take a retrospective approach. You may find a community of people that share your victim mindset on Reddit.
KARlosfuentes
Moderator
Posts: 107
Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2021 11:50 pm

Things are getting worse for my automobile. So far today, the electric vehicle temperature indicator has been unresponsive, remaining at 1/4 of the scale. It used to rise to slightly below 1/2 every time. While driving slowly in the city, the EV mode keeps turning off by itself. It terminates in a matter of seconds if I attempt to accelerate. The cabin heating system is also operational. As usual, there are no error messages. It wasn't too horrible before, but now it's a "new year" symptom.


The website claims that the battery's SOCE is 94%.
All modules are up-to-date, according to the dealer.
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