No regen on the brake pedal

You're right, it is very hard to believe. I don't want to be right... but....

"When it's time to slow your roll, the braking is as natural as organic quinoa because, oddly enough, there's no transition from regenerative to friction braking. When you hit the pedal, there's no increase in regenerative braking because the vehicle just uses its friction brakes. "

"we were surprised to learn how the RZ's regenerative braking system works. (For those unfamiliar, regenerative braking uses the motors as generators, recharging the battery via energy captured while motor resistance slows the car. Many EVs have strong enough regen that one rarely need to use the friction brakes.) The RZ will have four levels of regenerative braking controlled by paddles on the steering column, a setup we've used in EVs from Hyundai and Kia and have come to like. Regen will happen when the driver lifts off the accelerator. However, unlike most other EVs (not to mention Toyota and Lexus hybrids), the brake pedal does not blend regen and friction braking—the RZ has a completely conventional hydraulic-only braking system. "

"There will not be an option for one-pedal driving and it’s not a blended braking system. The friction brake is just that; there’s no added regenerative braking force when the brake pedal is depressed. "

"pressing the brake pedal always summoned the hydraulic braking system. This is an important distinction because, in many electric cars, hitting the brakes increases the level of regeneration instead of pushing the pads (up to a certain point, at least)."

Seems to be a spec revealed for the BZ.

pdonnell said:

Yea, I'm really not getting modulating braking with "settings" WTF, does it regen or just slow coasting down? Everyone has a preference, lack of yoke (this year) range, and regen braking are the drawbacks for buying. I'm sure the build quality, customer service, and realistic lack of need for range will play mind tricks into buying it. But the brain says wait.

Click to expand...

Modulating regen with settings is actually quite common.

The reviews have said that it has adjustable engine-brake-style regen on the accelerator. This is similar to other EVs like my old Hyundai Kona EV, or the various VW ID.4 derivatives. Even Tesla used to allow you to change the regen on the accerlator pedal to effectively switch in and out of one pedal driving. Some of these other models allow you to set the accelerator regen high enough to do one pedal driving -- most will not. The reviews have said that the RZ will allow adjustment of the accelerator regen up to 0.15g.

The reality is that I probably won't need the regenerated energy on a daily basis with a charger at home, and for most highway driving it won't matter either... but I've definitely extended my highway range through hilly/mountainous terrain by doing a lot of regen on the highway in my Kona EV.

It just pisses me off that this is yet another stupid decision being made by product people. The platform is capable of regen on the brake pedal (source: BZ), so why not give customers the option?