Quote:
Originally Posted by Akrapovic
The most recent Leaf does regen braking though doesn't it? Probably similar to the Tesla, where even free wheeling down hill without the brakes will add charge?
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Yep, as far as I know all EVs have regenerative braking, where kinetic energy is harvested and put back into the battery (like KERS/ERS on F1 cars). The Leaf has a couple of modes where the regen is applied at different strengths, and some other EVs have a multi-step way of applying it, to suit your own driving style or the road conditions. I always put mine in the highest regen mode, and control the car on the accelerator (don't really need to use the friction brakes very often if you anticipate properly), but others prefer to have it in the lower regen mode where the car freewheels a little more easily. There's also an 'Eco' mode which dulls the throttle response and limits power to about 40% of max (unless you use the 'kickdown' function which overrides it).
From the stats that are collected by the car, on average I regenerate about 30% of the energy used. My usual commuting route isn't particularly hilly (north/west Kent) but I take advantage of the downhill sections where I can.