Ford Escape: Drive Mode Control / Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Drive Modes

Selecting a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Drive Mode

Your vehicle contains selectable electric vehicle (EV) modes. Press the button on the center console to change the mode.

Depending on your drive mode selection some EV modes may not be available. EV Now and EV Later modes are only available when you have electric-only driving range available.

Auto EV

This mode provides an automatic use of high voltage battery power during the drive, staying in electric mode when possible and running the engine when needed.

EV Charge

This mode uses your vehicle's engine to charge the high voltage battery versus plugging the vehicle into a utility grid.

The electric range gained through the EV Charge allows you to switch to Auto EV or EV Now for full electric operation later in your drive. The battery cannot completely charge to 100% when in EV Charge mode. This is to allow for full operation of the regenerative braking system. When the battery reaches its EV Charge limit, the vehicle remains in EV Charge mode and maintains that charge level, until you select another EV Mode, or until you switch your vehicle off.

When you enable EV Charge, a white EV Charge icon appears in the information display.

EV Charge resets to Auto EV when you switch off your vehicle. You may select EV Charge again using the EV button during your next drive.

EV Later

In EV Later, your vehicle runs on the engine as needed and saves most of the available electric range for later use in Auto EV or EV Now mode.

For example, your initial drive is at high speeds on open roads, but later your drive is at low speeds in an urban area where electric only driving is most efficient. In this case, you can select EV Later for the higher speed portion of your trip and then select Auto EV or EV Now for the urban portion.

When you enable EV Later, a white EV Later icon appears in the information display. EV Later resets to Auto EV when you switch off your vehicle. You may select EV Later again using the EV button during your next drive.

When you select EV Later with the vehicle fully charged or near fully charged, some electric-only driving range is used to discharge the battery. This is to allow for full operation of the regenerative braking system.

EV Now

This mode provides an electric only driving experience. Do not use EV Now when towing a trailer. The electric drive system is not designed for towing. An EV Now information on demand screen appears. This screen allows you to enable your engine while in EV Now mode.

Your vehicle could accelerate slower and the top speed could be lower than when in Auto EV mode.

You can enable your engine at any time by using one of the following methods:

• Press the OK button on the steering wheel when viewing the EV Now information on demand screen. Your vehicle enables the engine as needed and returns to EV Now mode when no longer needed.
• Fully press the accelerator pedal. A pop-up message appears. Press the OK button on the steering wheel to enable the engine. When the engine is no longer needed, your vehicle returns to EV Now. The message disappears if you release the accelerator pedal.
• Press the EV button. This exits EV Now mode and permits engine operation. To return to EV Now mode, select it again using the EV button.

Your vehicle could enter Engine Enabled mode if system conditions require it. A message displays if this occurs. This is a normal function of the system and your vehicle returns to EV Now mode when possible.

When you enable EV Now mode, a blue EV Now icon appears in the information display. If your vehicle is in Engine Enabled mode, the EV Now icon is amber. EV Now exits when your available electric range reaches zero.