Can I increase the EV miles by regen?

[howardbc]

I've only had the car less than 2 weeks and have so many questions. The last couple of times I've started out with a fully charged battery, it says I should be able to go pure electric for 28 miles. Okay. But when it gets down to 1-5 miles left in the battery, I've noticed that the number of electric miles left seems to increase (slightly) if I do the coasting/braking/regen thing a few times. I've got the EV mode set to EV Auto. I can see the battery level on the left side of the steering wheel. 

 

Am I imagining this, or am I able to actually increase the juice left in the batteries for pure electric mode by coasting/braking, etc? I know I can do this when it is in Hybrid Mode but didn't think I could change how much juice is left in pure electric mode. I've already noticed that the car will go back into a total electric mode (if only for a short time) when I have depleted the batteries and am officially in hybrid mode. I keep the "Status" display (showing outline of whole car) on the main screen most of the time. 

 

I would love to talk to one of the engineers who designed the car, even if I couldn't understand half of what he said. I'm hoping one of you will be able to educate me. But please keep it simple and easy to understand. It's much appreciated. Thanks so much.

[meyersnole]

The same techniques that allow you to charge the car in hybrid mode will also return energy to the battery in EV mode. As you coast, the engine is returning a little power to your battery (you will see a little carrot above the battery showing the energy flow) and braking returns even move energy to the battery. If you are getting 28 miles out of the battery then you are doing an excellent job of driving this car.

[howardbc]

Thanks so much. I have gotten over 30 miles in EV mode at least a couple of times. Now that I know I can increase the battery-mileage through regen, that will encourage me to drive like there's a raw egg under the accelerator. But so far I find myself going over the speed limit most of the time. I blame it on the analog speedometer. A digital speedometer was easier for me to stay with. 

 

But I am enjoying the heck out of the car. Thanks so much for the feedback. Much appreciated.

[DelS]

The same techniques that allow you to charge the car in hybrid mode will also return energy to the battery in EV mode. As you coast, the engine is returning a little power to your battery (you will see a little carrot above the battery showing the energy flow) and braking returns even move energy to the battery. 

A bit off topic, but shouldn't plugging in charge the hybrid battery, as well?  I'll get my 20 or so miles out of the EV battery, than it switches to hybrid mode.  At that point the indicator shows about 1/2 to 2/3'rds full as the car switches into hybrid mode.   Where does that hybrid battery power go?  

Edited April 29, 2013 at 11:40 PM by DelS

[Russael]

There is only one giant Li-On battery in the car... there is no separate 'hybrid battery' and 'EV battery' packs.  Just the modes the car operates in change.  There have been reports of being in hybrid mode and seeing miles re-appear after a duration of braking, coasting, or other forms of regen.  The car keeps a minimum charge in the pack, but you can bring yourself out of hybrid mode such as by going down a long hill (if you were out of EV only energy and in hybrid mode at the top).

 

There is a 12V regular automotive battery back there, but that's mainly for accessories.  I don't believe the car has a traditional starter - the engine is started by the traction motor and eCVT.

[TX NRG]

Of the 7.6 kWh battery pack, the Energi uses 6.5 kWh for EV range and allows a residual of 1.1 kWh for HEV operation.

[Energized]

Of the 7.6 kWh battery pack, the Energi uses 6.5 kWh for EV range and allows a residual of 1.1 kWh for HEV operation.

 

Yes, its one battery package which consists of many battery modules. Each module contains 5 small sized cells. 

 

The entire battery package is functionally divided between EV (6.5kWh big battery) and HEV operation (1.1 kWh smaller battery).

Edited April 30, 2013 at 03:14 AM by Energized

[howardbc]

The same techniques that allow you to charge the car in hybrid mode will also return energy to the battery in EV mode. As you coast, the engine is returning a little power to your battery (you will see a little carrot above the battery showing the energy flow) and braking returns even move energy to the battery. If you are getting 28 miles out of the battery then you are doing an excellent job of driving this car.

Hi, Meyersnole. I have yet to see any carrot icon above the battery icon on the display to the left of the odometer. When I am braking I see a swirling circle over the battery icon, but no carrot. I have the left side of the small display (to the left of the steering wheel) set to show me estimated EV miles on the battery and later the number of EV miles I've driven since the last time I turned the engine off, and then the Lifetime Summary. I guess the carrot isn't important but I'm just curious. I am usually looking at the "Status" display (outline of car) when the car is moving. When it stops, I look at EV miles since last stop and then lifetime MPG. 

 

I'm still learning all the options available to display on this car. It's a little over-whelming to me.

[meyersnole]

From memory I am not sure if the carrot shows when the circle does. The carrot shows up during cruising, as in downhill and the excess energy is stored back into the battery. The circle is much more energy from brake regeneration then the carrot from downhill.

[DelS]

Hi, Meyersnole. I have yet to see any carrot icon above the battery icon on the display to the left of the odometer. When I am braking I see a swirling circle over the battery icon, but no carrot. I have the left side of the small display (to the left of the steering wheel) set to show me estimated EV miles on the battery and later the number of EV miles I've driven since the last time I turned the engine off, and then the Lifetime Summary. I guess the carrot isn't important but I'm just curious. I am usually looking at the "Status" display (outline of car) when the car is moving. When it stops, I look at EV miles since last stop and then lifetime MPG. 

 

I'm still learning all the options available to display on this car. It's a little over-whelming to me.

Yeah I don't see a carrot-- or a stick for that matter, either.

[meyersnole]

:)  Ahhh... not a particularly good speller. Caret is what I meant to type.

[DelS]

There is only one giant Li-On battery in the car... there is no separate 'hybrid battery' and 'EV battery' packs.  Just the modes the car operates in change.  There have been reports of being in hybrid mode and seeing miles re-appear after a duration of braking, coasting, or other forms of regen.  The car keeps a minimum charge in the pack, but you can bring yourself out of hybrid mode such as by going down a long hill (if you were out of EV only energy and in hybrid mode at the top).

 

There is a 12V regular automotive battery back there, but that's mainly for accessories.  I don't believe the car has a traditional starter - the engine is started by the traction motor and eCVT.

Yes, though the NRG shows a separate yet different display for a 'battery' while in hybrid mode.  And the first time I see that different battery display, it has never been full, like you would see after a full charge. 

[DelS]

:)  Ahhh... not a particularly good speller. Caret is what I meant to type.

Yes this makes sense.  And when not coasting or braking, but 'gassing' it, the carat is on the bottom of the battery.

[Energized]

Hi, Meyersnole. I have yet to see any carrot icon above the battery icon on the display to the left of the odometer. When I am braking I see a swirling circle over the battery icon, but no carrot. I have the left side of the small display (to the left of the steering wheel) set to show me estimated EV miles on the battery and later the number of EV miles I've driven since the last time I turned the engine off, and then the Lifetime Summary. I guess the carrot isn't important but I'm just curious. I am usually looking at the "Status" display (outline of car) when the car is moving. When it stops, I look at EV miles since last stop and then lifetime MPG. 

 

I'm still learning all the options available to display on this car. It's a little over-whelming to me.

 

The caret above and below the battery are displayed only if selected.

 

If I remember correctly, to turn them on you use the left steering wheel controls and go to:

 

<Display Mode>

 

then press the Right > on the steering wheel control

then press the Right > again

 

until you see

 

<Battery Display>

 

then you can turn on/off

 

Regen Active

Charge Assist

Charge Level

[howardbc]

From memory I am not sure if the carrot shows when the circle does. The carrot shows up during cruising, as in downhill and the excess energy is stored back into the battery. The circle is much more energy from brake regeneration then the carrot from downhill.

Thanks, meyersnole. It's not a big deal. You have already given me very helpful advice. I just wanted to be sure I am not missing out on anything. I always note my braking score when I stop and am pleased that it's usually in the 90s or even 100. I'm really enjoying learning from and about this car. Thanks for all your help.