I would like to see the paddle shifter design changed to vary the amount of braking force. Currently the paddle seems to be all or nothing like a switch. I would like it to react to how much pressure is applied and brake accordingly. I am finding that it is not usable for me with it's current design.
Paddle brake design
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reaelec,
"Currently the paddle seems to be all or nothing like a switch."
The proper way to think of it is as a way to temporarily shift to L. Keep your foot on the throttle while holding the paddle down, and use the throttle to vary regen. I didn't get it until somebody on here mentioned it. Then it seemed obvious.
"Currently the paddle seems to be all or nothing like a switch."
The proper way to think of it is as a way to temporarily shift to L. Keep your foot on the throttle while holding the paddle down, and use the throttle to vary regen. I didn't get it until somebody on here mentioned it. Then it seemed obvious.
The regen paddle certainly does slow down the car, very often enough to avoid brake use. I use it every time I wish to slow down, cease cruise control, or come to a complete stop. If I planned ahead well enough, I never need the brake. With just a little experience, I can tell very quickly whether I need to lose some kinetic energy as heat, and I try to minimize that scenario.
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I disagree with having a variable regen paddle. It's just another thing that will untrain you from relying on the standard brake pedal. Think about it, if regen cuts out when you lose traction or if you're in N, you're screwed. Better to stick with muscle memory and have variable braking done with the brake pedal. It's accomplishing the same regen. You just are less likely to maximize regen and transition to friction braking at some point. Sure it's some brake wear, but at least you'll definitely stop the harder you mash that brake pedal.
Don't get me wrong, I still love using the regen paddle. I just make sure to lightly press on the brake pedal to ensure should a panic stop be required, my foot is already on the brake and muscle memory (and ABS) can take over.
Now, if you're talking about a programmable preset regen amount for the paddle (low/mid/high) that's still on/off in behavior, then I can get behind that.
Don't get me wrong, I still love using the regen paddle. I just make sure to lightly press on the brake pedal to ensure should a panic stop be required, my foot is already on the brake and muscle memory (and ABS) can take over.
Now, if you're talking about a programmable preset regen amount for the paddle (low/mid/high) that's still on/off in behavior, then I can get behind that.
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Brake pedal does the same thing as the regen on demand paddle: both recapture energy. Only difference is the brake pedal allows you to modulate your braking level (aka regen amount) and will engage the friction brakes if needed.
I drive in L, so I hardly ever touch the regen-on-demand paddle, but I sure do still use the brake pedal when appropriate.
Not sure if that is totally the case. https://insideevs.com/exclusive-inside-the-chevrolet-bolt-with-its-chief-engineer-new-details/
Josh Tavel apparently said that with just the brake pedal you would only regenerate less than .2g's. whereas with L and the paddle you could regenerate ~.3g's. This makes me think that you have significantly more energy waste and brake wear when you use the brake pedal. Clearly missing specifics to make an informed opinion.
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0.2g’s is a measurement of the rate of deceleration. It is not a measurement of how much electricity is being generated by pressing on the brake pedal, or lifting your foot off of the accelerator pedal in L mode, or using the regen-on-demand paddle in D or L.
You can easily setup an experiment to determine which mode gives you the most regen:
Find a deserted section of road. Accelerate up to 50 MPH. When you pass a fixed point, hit the brakes, let off the accelerator, or pull the regen paddle. Look on the right hand side of the DIC. It will tell you what your regen rate is in all three scenarios. While using just the brake pedal, try varying the amount of pedal pressure and see if the number goes up, and when/where it stops increasing.
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The regen paddle is variable, you use the accelerator pedal just like in L mode as GJETSON described. When I first drove the car I used the regen paddle in a two-step: 1) remove foot from pedal and 2) apply paddle in a guess how far I need to go / pulsed mode - which was inaccurate at best. Once I switched to not removing my foot from the accelerator before slowing and activating the paddle in combination with the pedal, I found it was much more useful. We use the paddle in D mode on higher speed roadways with this method rather than braking almost exclusively, save for the occasional surprise traffic or signal change.
I find it a bit easier to optimize coasting in D mode - although I wish D was a true coasting mode, which would work beautifully with the regen paddle!
I find it a bit easier to optimize coasting in D mode - although I wish D was a true coasting mode, which would work beautifully with the regen paddle!
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It'll be hard to measure accurately which method nets you the most recaptured energy. It's all about the area under the curve: energy recaptured over time (ignoring things like stopping distance and such, cause STOP signs are just suggestions...).
I don't have any hard numbers, but my guess is all methods (letting off accelerator in D or L, regan paddle, brake pedal in either D or L) will differ only slightly.
I don't have any hard numbers, but my guess is all methods (letting off accelerator in D or L, regan paddle, brake pedal in either D or L) will differ only slightly.
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Is there a trick to activate the paddle? I have tried it when in D and also in L. Pulling the paddle toward me does nothing at all. I tried pulling it harder and the plastic paddle broke off the steering column.
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langmore: you are spending way too much time at the gym. Be gentle with your little Bolt.
I agree that the paddle seems to be all or nothing: it acts like a switch. I too drive exclusively in 'L' mode, and use the paddle as a 'regen booster'. And I rarely touch the brakes.
In the following article
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/tesl...s-nissan-leaf-sl-vs-tesla-model-3-long-range/
Look at the first dataset in the second graph. These guys probably know what they are doing: they have accelerometers and they know how to use them. In 'D' mode, you get -0.19 Gs when you dump the accelerator. In 'L' mode, you get -0.21 Gs. When you dump the accelerator in 'L' mode and use the paddle, you get -0.26 Gs. Of course, in both 'D' and 'L' mode, you can modulate the release of the accelerator to get something less than -0.19 Gs or -0.21 Gs respectively.
I agree that the paddle seems to be all or nothing: it acts like a switch. I too drive exclusively in 'L' mode, and use the paddle as a 'regen booster'. And I rarely touch the brakes.
In the following article
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/tesl...s-nissan-leaf-sl-vs-tesla-model-3-long-range/
Look at the first dataset in the second graph. These guys probably know what they are doing: they have accelerometers and they know how to use them. In 'D' mode, you get -0.19 Gs when you dump the accelerator. In 'L' mode, you get -0.21 Gs. When you dump the accelerator in 'L' mode and use the paddle, you get -0.26 Gs. Of course, in both 'D' and 'L' mode, you can modulate the release of the accelerator to get something less than -0.19 Gs or -0.21 Gs respectively.
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Don't think I'm being an ass, but which paddle did you break off? You'd have to pull awfully hard to break the regen paddle.
You're not talking about the little levers on the left side below the horizontal spoke of the steering wheel, are you? Those are for changing radio stations or skipping between music selections.
You can't see the regen paddle when driving, it's on the back of the left horizontal spoke. There are two similar paddles to raise and lower the audio volume on the back of the right horizontal spoke.
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I agree with the OP and would take it 1 step further to also be capable of friction braking when more braking power is needed. Then I would add accelerator control to the steering wheel to allow the car to be driven completely foot free. Hands are much more precise at fine control, and less prone to movement when the car bounces over uneven terrain. I put the accelerator control on the steering column when I built an EV, and it was far superior to any pedal operated control I've ever used. The only drawback is you can't text while driving with this method.
Having this dual control would make the vehicle drivable for people with handicaps that prevent them from safely using pedals.
Having this dual control would make the vehicle drivable for people with handicaps that prevent them from safely using pedals.
When I first got my car, I had trouble with the paddle too because I thought it would be easier to drive in D, as that was closer to what I was used to. But then, my prior car was gas and didn't have a regen paddle. My mistake.
The first day I drove in L, it was a bit tricky but I got used to it. Now I only use the paddle to exit cruise control if I'm on an off ramp (since I was to slow down anyway) or if I want to enhance the foot pedal if I need to stop quickly (like I did today because some clown cut me off at the very end of the off ramp and then slammed on his own brakes).
This is a good point, and a good question. If you press on the brake pedal, will it purely brake via regen until it has maxed out the regen ability, or will it immediately also apply some mechanical brakes? Seems like cars all work differently here. I was shocked to learn the Tesla doesn't do any regen from the brake pedal. My 2010 Prius I believe uses regen until it's maxed out (which isn't very much) then adds mechanical.
I actually don't like one pedal driving. I'd much rather have the gas pedal be used just for acceleration and the brake pedal be just used for slowing, maxing out the regen first. Neither pedal pressed should be coasting. Haven't received my Bolt yet so haven't had a chance to play with it in the Bolt yet. I'd also agree with the original comment that it'd be nice if the paddle worked like the brake pedal (modulated) but without engaging any mechanical brakes.
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