[Larryakoch]

I've looked at threads but can't find an answer.

 

[Skeansgiere]

You can recharge the battery with the regen on demand first and foremost

 

[sosmerc]

If you are looking for "max regen" try using "L" and then the paddle. Definitely enjoy the one pedal driving technique. Under some conditions I can return home with the same electric range that I had when I left.......awesome!

 

[obermd]

Yes, if you want to give your passengers whiplash. I will sometimes use the L + Paddle for max regen but I'm more likely to use the regen pedal on the floor.

 

[Raymondjram]

I've looked at threads but can't find an answer.

I see the advantage when one drives in heavy and slow evening traffic which tires the right foot. Using a paddle will allow the driver to rest the right foot for minutes until a heavy braking maneuver is required and the right foot is needed again.

 

[enthalpy]

Here are the various forms and their benefits and drawbacks as I see them:

L gives you some (~60%) regen.
Benefit: Allows single pedal driving.
Drawback: Can't just coast, 60% is a fair amount of deceleration. This can tire your foot.

Paddle gives you all of the regen.
Benefit: Max the regen, knowing you are at the limit of regen at that time. Using the brake pedal means friction brakes are used.
Drawback: Quite the forceful amount of braking, and it isn't able to be modulated.

Brake pedal lets you modulate the regen and seamlessly brings in the friction brakes after regen is maxed out.
Benefit: Easily modulate regen.
Drawback: There's no feedback aside from the efficiency meter when you dip into the friction brakes.

I personally use a combination of all of the above depending on the situation. Stop and go, L and paddle. Heavy braking, paddle and brake pedal if necessary. Light braking that needs to be modulated, brake pedal.

 

[saltsman]

Only if you've spent some quality time with Kathy Bates... otherwise, no.

 

[timoshev]

Pure laziness. I use it all the time because it is MAX regen and thus, the shortest stopping distance using regen without the wheel brakes-- and the least annoying to those behind you when slowing for a red light. ( I use L all the time for the same reason)

 

[scrambler]

There is really no answer to your question.

Using regen with the brake pedal, or releasing the accelerator in L, or the regen paddle, is purely a question of personal comfort preference based on the situation.

The brake pedal modulates regen by pressing down.
The Accelerator modulates regen by lifting the foot.
The paddle is an ALL or nothing regen (no modulation), with a small ramp to smooth the effect a bit.

Experience with all three under different circumstances, and decide what you like for ecah of them.

 

[Neromanceres]

Again the paddle phases in maximum regen. If you press the brake pedal to generate the same rate of deceleration you will also be at max regen (with no friction braking).

So in the end it's personal preference. The paddle has a more on-off effect while regen can be varied with the brake pedal so personally I prefer the brake pedal. I'm more efficient using the brake pedal too as I find the paddle tends to generate a lot of unnecessary deceleration.

 

[ClarksonCote]

You'll get a lot of wild debate, but here's my 2 cents... The paddle is guaranteed to not use the brake pads. The brake pedal may or may not use the brake pads depending on many factors, but will still likely use mostly regen.

So the paddle will guarantee no brake pad use which some may like to do.

 

[wordptom]

Regenerative braking was designed as an alternative to friction braking for electric cars. That it also recharges the battery is a bonus, but it’s called regenerative braking, not regenerative refueling. When your foot comes off accelerator pedal, the electric motor becomes a generator, using the car’s kinetic energy to crank the generator’s shaft. Adjusting the generator circuits via L, D, paddle, and pedal adjusts the rate at which the kinetic energy is consumed (i.e., the rate the car slows down).

Think of regen techniques the same way you would think of normal friction braking techniques. If you want to slow slowly, coast in D. To push on the "brakes" more strongly while coasting, coast in L. For a stronger "braking," use the paddle. Otherwise, use the brake pedal to adjust the regen amount to produce the appropriate level of "braking." In normal circumstances, you won’t be engaging the friction brakes until the very end.

 

[BAZINGA]

Regen is regen, regardless of how its achieved. While it's true the paddle will never engage the friction brakes, it can set up some unnatural undulations the can cause motion sickness. My wife hates when I use the paddle, makes her queazy. I use all three modes in my Volt but it I have passengers I will stick with the blended brakes mode.

Go to have choices.

 

[Insight Refugee]

I use L plus the paddle when needed, but my goal is to use the L as much as possible. Unless the car's efficiency gauges are lying to me and my understanding of basic physics is wrong, the paddle is not the best way to maximize regen. I use the paddle when I need to stop faster than I anticipated with the foot pedal for emergencies and the final resting stop.

 

[Gloster]

Great explanation, Enthalpy. Thanks.

 

[JRRF]

I see the advantage when one drive in heavy and slow evening traffic which tires the right foot. Using a paddle will allow the driver to rest the right foot for minutes until a heavy braking maneuver is required and the right foot is needed again.

This is the method I use unless someone else is in the car. The paddle is nice because your foot doesn't get tired going back and forth to the brake in stop and go traffic. But the paddle is a little severe, so with passengers I don't use it as much.

Another good thing about the paddle is reaction time. My hand reacts a lot quicker than my foot/leg.

 

[JRRF]

Adjusting the generator circuits via L, D, paddle, and pedal adjusts the rate at which the kinetic energy is consumed (i.e., the rate the car slows down).

Can anyone explain how the regeneration is actually engaged? What exactly is done to the circuitry to create regen?

 

[firehawk72]

I've looked at threads but can't find an answer.

I will bottom line it for you.

No

You can achieve the exact same results with either; however, the foot pedal is MUCH easier to modulate.

 

[hellsop]

I will bottom line it for you.

No

You can achieve the exact same results with either; however, the foot pedal is MUCH easier to modulate.

And does the important thing (attempt to stop the car) in ALL possible circumstances. Slippery or bumpy roads? The pedal shifts to friction brakes basically instantly and continues to try to slow the car. Paddle/Low? Braking just quits for what seems like forever (though it's probably only a second or two) and you plow on ahead with no slowing at all. The idea of training my reactions to use a thing that can just give up when I need it most is bowel-loosening scary to me, and I will not let that happen.

 

[Steverino]

You can recharge the battery with the regen on demand first and foremost

Not sure what that means. Of course you can recharge the battery with regen, that's what regen is. What's first and foremost? Sounds like bot-speak.