5 ms·
> EVs actually do better in stop and go traffic than driving flat out at 75 mph, because of the lack of wind resistance and the ability to do regenerative braki
by stephengillie 8y ago
> EVs actually do better in stop and go traffic than driving flat out at 75 mph, because of the lack of wind resistance and the ability to do regenerative braking.
This may not be true for Teslas. Most EVs and hybrids will increase their regenerative braking when the brake pedal is pressed, and use mixed braking at slow speeds and hard stops. Teslas, however, maintain a constant rate of regeneration when not accelerating, and apply the mechanical brakes when the brake pedal is pressed, without increasing regeneration. Thus, Teslas waste most of their energy as heat when not driven in one-pedal mode.
My Camry Hybrid has a "CHG" section on the lower "tachometer", where the needle dips when I press the brake pedal. Braking carefully to a full stop from freeway speeds regenerates enough energy to maintain 35-40 mph for 10-15 miles. Often I can get above the estimated 40mpg (sometimes over 50mpg) in stop-and-go freeway traffic, rolling along on battery, only using the engine for a few seconds to occasionally sharply accelerate.
The Model 3's abysmal (and recently improved) stopping distance may have something to do with this. Many EV enthusiasts tout the reduced stopping distance benefit of mixed braking. However, Teslas do not currently perform this sort of mixed braking, so they miss out on this benefit. Could it be a software update away?
- greglindahl 8y agoI've driven a Tesla many times in stop-and-go: one-pedal is not hard to do nearly 100% of the time. No heat waste, and the energy graph shows lower than usual usage per mile.
- stephengillie 8y agoHow quickly do Teslas come to a stop from 60mph in one-pedal mode? Do you often use the brake pedal when coming to a full stop on the freeway?
- illumin8 8y agoI rarely ever touch the brake pedal on my Tesla M3, except once the car has reached almost a complete stop. Unless you're braking hard for an unexpected stop, one pedal driving can easily slow you from 75mph down to almost 0 on a freeway off ramp (and recover that kinetic energy as charge).