SOC draining when in EV Later mode

[freibo]

I've recently some erratic SOC behavior I switch from Auto (or EV Now) to EV Later mode (such as in moving from surface streets to highway). Sometimes the SOC % continues to decline about 10% before stabilizing. Other times, it stabilizes immediately. I've tried to control for variables in testing but the behavior varies regardless. I've tried cycling through modes. Same.  

 

Is this normal behavior? 

 

I've scanned the forums, but don't see anyone with quite the same question. I understand that toggling to EV Later mode (re)sets the target SOC (and that the reported SOC may be different from the actual OBD reported SOC). I also understand that the EV Later SOC set point falls within a range dependent on the actual SOC at the time that EV Later is activated. I also don't know if this has always been happening and only recently observed it (likely).  

[Hybridbear]

How are you observing the 10% drop?

[larryh]

Is the car continuing to run in EV mode after you switch to EV later?    If the power required to propel the car is insufficient, the ICE won't come on and the SOC of the HVB will continue to drop as the electric motor consumes power. 

[freibo]

@hybridbear - from the battery % on the MFT display (not the fuel gauge miles)

 

@larryh - no, the ICE comes on and I can see the RPMs

[larryh]

Is the ICE cold?  The electric motor does much of the work until the ICE warms up.  Look at the Engage screen to see how much power the ICE is providing vs. the motor.