Regenerative Braking

[peter scott]

For the last few days I've been driving around in a hired Audi A3 40 TFSIe. This is a plug-in hybrid with a 6 speed DSG autobox. It has regenerative braking which is good but what I think is really bad is that it does very little energy recovery on the overrun (next to nothing in fact). Consequently if you want to charge the battery you have to lightly touch the brakes at every opportunity. No doubt giving the impression to drivers behind that you never learnt to drive properly.

Peter

[ppppenguin]

On my little electric Skoda Citigo I can select the amount of regeneration by moving the gearstick to the left when in drive. 5 settings from none to single pedal driving.

There may be something similar on your car.

[peter scott]

I must admit that I haven't fully explored the settings menus. The drive selector only has fore and aft movement so not similar to your car.

Thanks,

Peter

[peter scott]

I think I have fully explored the settings now but I don't think this Audi offers the same range of control as your Citigo Jeffrey. I guess I am looking for the single pedal operation. I can imagine that single pedal driving takes some getting used to but I think when combined with adaptive cruise it could be very good.

Peter

[ppppenguin]

Single pedal driving does feel strange. I normally use regen levels 1 or 2, which gives a similar feel to a petrol engined car.

[AdrianPH]

Single pedal driving does feel strange. I normally use regen levels 1 or 2, which gives a similar feel to a petrol engined car.

What's the normal range on your Citigo, I have a petrol one and may look to a electric one in the future?

Adrian

[ppppenguin]

It varies a lot with temperature. At best over 200 miles in summer, at worst not much more than 100 in winter. Aircon and heater both use a significant amount of power. All other ancillaries such as headlights, heated rear window etc are negligible. My example doesn't have fast charging so a quick re-charge on the go isn't possible.

For me it's a town car that can do a bit more. At extreme range I took it up to Lincolnshire last summer. Otherwise it will happily do day trips to many places around London.

I think the VW version, the e-Up! (yes, it has an exclamation mark as part of the name) is still available new. Otherwise the s/h versions of the Citigo, Seat Mii and e-Up are all holding their values well. I could probably sell mine for as much as I bought it for almost 2 years ago. Be aware that older models have a much smaller battery.

I still have my petrol Skoda Yeti for longer trips and bigger loads. I'll probably keep it until it drops.

[AdrianPH]

Thanks for the info.

Adrian

[Richard_FM]

My Toyota Yaris hybrid seems to generate a fair amount while braking. It has a brake mode position on the gear shift but even on a steep hill it works almost too well slowing the car down too much.

[joebog1]

The future I guess. I wonder how they will go in Australia with over 600 kliks between servo's in some cases.
Must take a LLOOONNNGGGG time with a 200 watt solar panel tied onto the roof for electric cars that are on offer now.

Joe