I haven't been able to find a comprehensive summary of how regenerative braking works on the leaf (mine is coming in December so haven't been able to experiment.)
Here's what I get so far, but not sure if it's correct:
1. regenerative braking happens when you take your foot on the "gas" and coast - e.g. up to a light or down a hill.
2. the amount of regeneration increases if you go into eco mode
3. what I believe is, pressing lightly on the brake pedal increases regeneration
If 3 is true, does the Leaf electronically decide between physical and regenerative braking? In other words, does light pressure increase stopping power solely through regenerative resistance? Or is there a combination of physical braking and regeneration, or does that only happen with pressing down harder?
I got to think about descending a long hill - e.g. coming down out of the mountains. If 3 is correct, I'd be lightly stepping on the brake the whole time, signaling everyone with by brake lights, even though I might be going fast. Seems a little odd...
Here's what I get so far, but not sure if it's correct:
1. regenerative braking happens when you take your foot on the "gas" and coast - e.g. up to a light or down a hill.
2. the amount of regeneration increases if you go into eco mode
3. what I believe is, pressing lightly on the brake pedal increases regeneration
If 3 is true, does the Leaf electronically decide between physical and regenerative braking? In other words, does light pressure increase stopping power solely through regenerative resistance? Or is there a combination of physical braking and regeneration, or does that only happen with pressing down harder?
I got to think about descending a long hill - e.g. coming down out of the mountains. If 3 is correct, I'd be lightly stepping on the brake the whole time, signaling everyone with by brake lights, even though I might be going fast. Seems a little odd...