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Old 06-07-2012, 01:05 PM   #8 (permalink)
NeilBlanchard
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Yes, in the Eco mode the Fit EV does free wheel coasting just like a car in neutral, with no regenerative braking at all. Most EV's have some amount of regeneration dialed in on the accelerator pedal, for some reason. Ironically, the Leaf has more regen on the accelerator in Eco mode than it does in Normal; which is odd.

I think that the designers of most EV's need to take some ecodriving lessons. Coasting is the most efficient part of driving any car! Regenerative braking should only be used when you need to slow down.

Having any regen braking that is controlled by the accelerator pedal requires a person to learn where the "neutral" position is -- and then requires you to hold your right foot in that precise position in order to coast. By definition, this is harder to do than just lifting your right foot off the pedal. Anyone who has driven long distances trying to ecodrive has learned the benefit of being able to lift your right foot to coast; because you also get to rest your leg muscles and/or stretch out some kinks during long coasts.

This also a great help in learning to ecodrive -- the habit of 2-mode driving (accelerating until you brake) is exacerbated when there is regenerative braking on the accelerator pedal. 3-mode ecodriving (accelerate-coast-minimal braking) makes it far easier to do pulse & glide, and overall 3-mode driving will save lots of energy.

So kudos to Honda for doing the Eco mode on the Fit EV right! Now, please sell lots of them!
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