LEAFfan said:
DaveinOlyWA said:
regen is a net energy loss. better to have not used the extra power needed which is the same as gentle acceleration and perfecting traffic flow anticipation
Dave, are you saying that coasting in neutral (to a stoplight,etc.) is better than using regen with the LEAF? If so, then it is the same idea with the ICE because when I use the engine (D) to slow, it gives me around 100 mpg, but when in neutral, 200-300 mpg.
no, coasting in neutral is a personal choice and i do not do. what i am saying is regen is the measure of how much faster you are traveling for conditions or how poorly you are anticipating traffic flow and light timing.
the best way to drive is not faster than you need to or slower than you need to, its exactly as you need to.
put it on the energy screen and try this. when coming up to a light, try slowing down off the accelerator until you can see no energy on motor. this is the equivalent of glide.
this provides two potential benefits. no regen maintains your speed for a longer period. hopefully the light changes before you get there so you can ease back to acceleration. the less speed you lose, the less acceleration you need to regain speed.
now, some times stopping is unavoidable. in that case, you want to regen as long as possible but in a way that you do it at as low a rate as possible. this means having a good following distance for the extra gliding. the objective is being able to hit your brakes when you are going less than say 10 mph.
on my commute, its easy. i do have a very congested area where stopping at lights is unavoidable. there is simply too much traffic to clear the lights between cycles.
but i also have 4 traffic circles. they are easy to judge and the best part is the cooperation of fellow drivers on the road. we all kinda roll up to them slowly so it makes for perfect driving in Leaf. on the energy screen i am usually in the zero to 15 kwh range for power on motor.
as far as coasting in neutral to a light. that only works if you have several blocks to coast. what u do not want to do is use friction braking which gives you zero return. at least regen gives something back