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Regenerative Brakes: How to Improve Your Range

Try these money-saving tips for using your regenerative brakes to improve the mileage in your electric car, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid. We asked Autotrader Executive Editor Brian Moody the most pressing questions about regenerative braking to help you extend the range in your vehicle.

Which Types of Vehicles Use Regenerative Brakes?

Electric vehicles and hybrids, including plug-in hybrids, use regenerative brakes to capture energy usually lost while a moving vehicle is slowing or braking.

How Do Regenerative Brakes Work?

Regenerative brakes work by using the same electric motor that propels the car. When the driver lifts their foot off the accelerator or starts to press the brake pedal, the electric motor reverses and turns into a generator. The car still has traditional brakes, but the motor does a lot of the work while adding a little electricity back to the battery pack.

What’s the Purpose of Regenerative Brakes?

The purpose of regenerative brakes is to capture kinetic energy from slowing the car. This energy is usually just lost in a vehicle without regenerative braking.

Why am I Not Getting the Most Out of My Vehicle?  

Abrupt acceleration will hurt the efficiency of both electric and gasoline-powered cars. Try accelerating gradually and use the car’s “Economy” or “Eco” setting. Moderating acceleration can be challenging as hybrid and electric vehicles generally perform better off the line than most gasoline-powered cars.

How Can I Get the Most Mileage Out of My Hybrid Vehicle or PHEV?

Use the “Eco” or “Economy” setting and accelerate gradually. Also, look ahead in traffic and try to anticipate stops. Slow down by letting your foot off the accelerator well before needing to come to a complete stop, rather than stabbing at your brakes.

Tips for Boosting Mileage with Regenerative Brakes?

  1. Go downhill. Try keeping your foot off the accelerator while going down a hill.
  2. Coast. Let the regenerative brakes add as much energy as possible by coasting as much as possible.
  3. Avoid stomping brakes. When braking, do it gradually and avoid stomping on the brake pedal at the last minute.

How Do I Get Better Performance Over 30 mph or at Highway Speeds?

In a hybrid, try using the cruise control or “trick” the control module into running more on electricity. If you lift your foot all the way off the accelerator pedal and immediately press down very gently (to keep the car moving) on the accelerator, you can often run in electric-only mode for a little longer than usual.

Which Driving Mode Works Best with Regenerative Brakes?

The “Econ” or “Economy” mode is best. Also, some cars have a progressive regenerative feature. If it’s driver-adjustable, leave it in the middle of the range.

What Else Do Drivers Need to Keep in Mind?

Hybrids do best at low speeds. If you frequently drive around town or in heavy traffic, you might be getting the most out of your hybrid. Avoid high-speed driving. That is when a hybrid is the least efficient.

What’s the Best Way to Improve Gas Mileage?

If you can, try to keep your driving in the electric-only range. Look for low-speed options when picking a route to work, home, school, or wherever you go. With a PHEV, always plug the car in anytime you’re parked so you can be using electricity most of the time.

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FAQ

  • Does regenerative braking use brake pads?

    Yes, regenerative braking does use brake pads, but it significantly reduces the wear and tear on them. Since regenerative braking takes the strain off the pads, the system can help prolong your brake pad’s lifecycle.

  • How to turn off regenerative braking in a Tesla?

    There is no way to turn off regenerative braking in a Tesla.

  • Do brake lights come on when using one pedal driving?

    Yes. When using one pedal driving, you accelerate and brake using only the gas pedal and the brake lights still illuminate when you remove your foot from the gas.

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