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- Apr 17, 2014
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When I first got my volt I was very interested in the efficiency of the default drive mode (coast + slight regen similar in feel to a typical gas vehicle coasting) versus the "L" mode which engages the much more aggressive regen/braking mode (ie 1 foot slow and go).
I say slow and go, because in the volt, even "L" mode will not come to a complete stop without the brakes.
Additionally, the volt has 'blended' brakes, in which the brakes will use regeneration of up to about 40-50 kwh before hitting the physical brake disks. When coming to a stop (using the brakes) there is a period of time between approximately 5mph or so, and full stop, where the physical brakes take over.
The first gen volt, does not have a regen paddle, but the 2nd volt and the all electric Bolt does, which similar to the paddle shifters on VW, gives quick access to regen above and beyond what is provided by the brake and/or gear mode.
Also, in the volt the transmission is 1 speed, there is no gear shifting, the 3 motivators (2 electrics motors and the gas engine) all varies their individual speeds according to the vehicle speed and driver input.
By contrast, from what I understand of the tesla, is the brakes are brakes and not tied to regeneration, only the gas (or GO) pedal controls regeneration. And I believe that tesla's can come to a full stop without hitting the brakes.
No idea whether the audi uses blended brakes with regen, or standard brakes.
Anyway, I spent the first few months alternating commutes between drive and low and could not come up with a consistently better trip in L than D.
After about a year now of driving my volt, I find that generally the best/most efficient way to drive, is to drive a normal conservative economy style, in drive mode, utilizing the brakes as necessary (which automatically will regenerate) and coasting with foot off (to slow down) or coasting with small amounts of pedal input to simulate 'neutral coasting', in order to meet the demands of traffic and stoplights etc.
Because, as nice as it is to have regen, about the best you can hope for is about 50% recovery of lost energy. It is better to not lose momentum (or minimize the loss of momentum), than have energy lost from regen and re-acceleration.
The best case is always to maintain a consistent speed as possible, coast with as little regen (and drop in speed) as is possible to navigate traffic and time stoplights to avoid unnecessary regen/braking and/or acceleration.
Whew, that got way longer than I planned.
TLDR;
It is more efficient to keep as much momentum as traffic allows, than to regen then accelerate.
I say slow and go, because in the volt, even "L" mode will not come to a complete stop without the brakes.
Additionally, the volt has 'blended' brakes, in which the brakes will use regeneration of up to about 40-50 kwh before hitting the physical brake disks. When coming to a stop (using the brakes) there is a period of time between approximately 5mph or so, and full stop, where the physical brakes take over.
The first gen volt, does not have a regen paddle, but the 2nd volt and the all electric Bolt does, which similar to the paddle shifters on VW, gives quick access to regen above and beyond what is provided by the brake and/or gear mode.
Also, in the volt the transmission is 1 speed, there is no gear shifting, the 3 motivators (2 electrics motors and the gas engine) all varies their individual speeds according to the vehicle speed and driver input.
By contrast, from what I understand of the tesla, is the brakes are brakes and not tied to regeneration, only the gas (or GO) pedal controls regeneration. And I believe that tesla's can come to a full stop without hitting the brakes.
No idea whether the audi uses blended brakes with regen, or standard brakes.
Anyway, I spent the first few months alternating commutes between drive and low and could not come up with a consistently better trip in L than D.
After about a year now of driving my volt, I find that generally the best/most efficient way to drive, is to drive a normal conservative economy style, in drive mode, utilizing the brakes as necessary (which automatically will regenerate) and coasting with foot off (to slow down) or coasting with small amounts of pedal input to simulate 'neutral coasting', in order to meet the demands of traffic and stoplights etc.
Because, as nice as it is to have regen, about the best you can hope for is about 50% recovery of lost energy. It is better to not lose momentum (or minimize the loss of momentum), than have energy lost from regen and re-acceleration.
The best case is always to maintain a consistent speed as possible, coast with as little regen (and drop in speed) as is possible to navigate traffic and time stoplights to avoid unnecessary regen/braking and/or acceleration.
Whew, that got way longer than I planned.
TLDR;
It is more efficient to keep as much momentum as traffic allows, than to regen then accelerate.
The same exact thing happens to people who exclusively drive vehicles with three pedals and are forced to drive a two-pedal car. Believe me, you can find my face print on the inside of the windshield in just about every slushbox that I've ever been forced to drive. 
Thank Mithra that I haven't had to drive one in several years now, but the last few times I actually resorted to intentional left-foot braking to include my left hoof in the driving process and keep it away from the imaginary clutch pedal.....
) while at the same time avoiding using brakes which equals close-to zero brake wear.
