Power consumption when stopped in Drive

[DerekHyland]

Hi, I was wondering how much power/amps is being drawn when stopped in "D"rive.
Because, just like in an ICE automatic, you feel a pull, and if you let go of the brakes the car will slowly move forwards.
This seems to be an engineered behaviour, to resemble de feel o a regular automatic. which I admit is very well done.
A regular driver, would probably not know he is driving an ev, if not for the torque.

So I was wondering, is this "on" all the time (which may seem a power wastage), or they have cleverly engineered it that the moment you lean off the break the motor kicks in? However, it doesn't feel that it does this.

Would anybody know the answer?
Maybe plugging a scanner into the ODB port will show up more useful info (like actual amps going in/out of the battery)

Derek.

 

[Drew21]

What year Leaf do you have? Our 2014 has a energy use screen which has graphics showing energy output (or input/regeneration) broken into three categories: electric motor, climate control, and other systems (headlights, radio, lasers, etc).

I just headed out to the garage to take a look. With the car on and in Drive, foot on the brake, and climate control system off, the only energy use shown is approximately 0.25 kW in the "other systems" category. As you suggest, as soon as I take my foot off the brake the car begins to move forward (at least on the flat floor in the garage). Putting my foot back on the brake again shows energy output only in the "other systems" category.

It doesn't seem surprising to me that an EV is "smart" enough to direct energy to the electric motor only when your foot is off the brake.

 

[Learjet]

It's "brake" by the way....have you looked at the power consumption on the center screen? I though I did read somewhere that there is some torque applied to the motor while stopped....probably to preload the drivetrain and take the slop out for a smooth and quick power application. Someone will chime in with more technical information.

 

[DerekHyland]

What year Leaf do you have? Our 2014 has a energy use screen which has graphics showing energy output (or input/regeneration) broken into three categories: electric motor, climate control, and other systems (headlights, radio, lasers, etc).

I just headed out to the garage to take a look. With the car on and in Drive, foot on the brake, and climate control system off, the only energy use shown is approximately 0.25 kW in the "other systems" category. As you suggest, as soon as I take my foot off the brake the car begins to move forward (at least on the flat floor in the garage). Putting my foot back on the brake again shows energy output only in the "other systems" category.

It doesn't seem surprising to me that an EV is "smart" enough to direct energy to the electric motor only when your foot is off the brake.

2019 model, 40 kWh battery
An yes, I do have energy use screen, but as you say, only show "other" usage when stopped. Anyhow, the bar graph is not very high resolution.

 

[DerekHyland]

It's "brake" by the way....have you looked at the power consumption on the center screen? I though I did read somewhere that there is some torque applied to the motor while stopped....probably to preload the drivetrain and take the slop out for a smooth and quick power application. Someone will chime in with more technical information.

The idea of preloading the drivetrain make a lot of sense.

 

[Kenny]

Hi, I was wondering how much power/amps is being drawn when stopped in "D"rive.
Because, just like in an ICE automatic, you feel a pull, and if you let go of the brakes the car will slowly move forwards.
This seems to be an engineered behaviour, to resemble de feel o a regular automatic. which I admit is very well done.
A regular driver, would probably not know he is driving an ev, if not for the torque.

So I was wondering, is this "on" all the time (which may seem a power wastage), or they have cleverly engineered it that the moment you lean off the break the motor kicks in? However, it doesn't feel that it does this.

Would anybody know the answer?
Maybe plugging a scanner into the ODB port will show up more useful info (like actual amps going in/out of the battery)

Derek.

On my 2018 the “creep” disengages when the brake is applied. It’s seamless so you won’t perceive it unless you are truly at one with your Leaf.

 

[Jerther]

Same with ePedal on I guess?

 

[countryleaf]

I read somewhere on this forum that when in drive (and B mode) and stopped, there is a fairly sizeable draw on the battery. As I recall, it was around 1,300 Watts. The energy use screen does not show this. That's why some people shift into neutral while stopped.

 

[Drew21]

I read somewhere on this forum that when in drive (and B mode) and stopped, there is a fairly sizeable draw on the battery. As I recall, it was around 1,300 Watts. The energy use screen does not show this. That's why some people shift into neutral while stopped.

Hmm. Interesting. Hopefully someone (with Leafspy?) can confirm.
If this is the case and the draw bothers you it would be safer to put the car in Park than Neutral when stopped.
Can't roll forward or backward in Park if you are a daydreamer.

 

[sooleaf]

Hmm. Interesting. Hopefully someone (with Leafspy?) can confirm.
If this is the case and the draw bothers you it would be safer to put the car in Park than Neutral when stopped.
Can't roll forward or backward in Park if you are a daydreamer.

I always just drop it into P when at a light or drive thru because I'd rather do that than hold the brake.

 

[Jerther]

I always just drop it into P when at a light or drive thru because I'd rather do that than hold the brake.

ePedal?

 

[Jerther]

So I just did some tests on my 2022 SL+ with LeafSpy in my driveway.

Power usage after accelerating to about 5 km/h and then slowing down to a complete stop (±5 W):

• Park: 360 W
• D + ePedal: 360 W
• D + No ePedal, using brake pedal: 360 W
• B + ePedal: 360 W
• B + No ePedal, using brake pedal: 360 W
• N + brake pedal: 360 W

So, my conclusion is there's no noticeable difference between all possibilities, coming down from that speed at least.

Though I'd say that using P mode at traffic lights might be dangerous as the red tail lights are not lit and you increase the risk of getting rear ended because of that

UPDATE: these power figures are taken from the energy consumption details page where you can see Batt, Aux, Hetr and A/C. These are the number for the "Batt" line. Also, Climate control was off, wipers were off, heated seats were off, fan was off. I think 360 W is the bare minimum the car draws when day lights (DRL) are on.

 

[Dooglas]

Then there are a number of optional energy draws which continue when the vehicle is stopped. Those could include resistance heating, heat pump, heated seats and steering wheel, A/C, wipers, fan, lights, and the like.

 

[sooleaf]

ePedal?

Is there a way to activate ePedal on a 2013? I think eco mode is the closest I have and that idles at 8kmh forward.

 

[Dooglas]

Is there a way to activate ePedal on a 2013?

The ePedal system was first introduced in 2018 and is only available on the generation 2 LEAF.

 

[sooleaf]

The ePedal system was first introduced in 2018 and is only available on the generation 2 LEAF.

Ok good, I thought I didn't have it.

 

[BillAinCT]

Those could include resistance heating, heat pump, heated seats and steering wheel, A/C, wipers, fan, lights, and the like.

These draw on the 12V battery, which you can see in LS on the Amps for 12V. I believe this topic may have been directed at the traction battery power but either way sure these use power (quite a bit actually). I've wondered why the wipers and rear defrost add bars to the "other energy" usage display but the seat and steering wheel heaters do not (which draw a good bit if you watch the 12V amp display).

 

[knightmb]

So I was wondering, is this "on" all the time (which may seem a power wastage), or they have cleverly engineered it that the moment you lean off the break the motor kicks in? However, it doesn't feel that it does this.

I think you have enough responses, but basically 300 watts when "ON" and not doing anything (no lights, radio, AC/Heat, etc.) Following this, when you are in Drive and let off the Brake just enough, the "creep" mode kicks in with 500 watts of power. So then you have about +800 watts of power usage if you are just rolling down the road at 5 mph and nothing else is going on. After that, it just goes up with Fans, Radios, AC/Heat, Lights, etc. So yes, they did think ahead (and all earlier models do this as well) to cut power when you have the brake down and then engage +500 watts of power to get you "rolling" when you left off the brake. If you are pointed up a hill, then usually you just "hang" until either the 500 watts can move you upward or it's not enough and you start to roll backwards if your Leaf does not have the "hill holder" feature.

 

[Jerther]

I've updated my post with a bit more context:

these power figures are taken from the energy consumption details page where you can see Batt, Aux, Hetr and A/C. These are the number for the "Batt" line. Also, Climate control was off, wipers were off, heated seats were off, fan was off. I think 360 W is the bare minimum the car draws when day lights (DRL) are on.

Also

cut power when you have the brake down and then engage +500 watts of power to get you "rolling" when you left off the brake

Which is what I've observed while taking measurements. I could verify the +500 W figure but it seems about right.

 

[Carli Steiermarker]

I have a 2020 S Plus I drive with the epedal in D when I come to a stop I take my foot off the brake and my car never moves, creeping or otherwise even if downhill. I just sits there until I press the accelerator. Does that mean there is something wrong with my car?