RWD regenerative braking

[5ohbrad]

Has anyone experience regenerative braking with a rear drive only EV? Every vehicle I’ve driven with 1 pedal driving has had motors on both axles. From what we know, it’s a rear mount driven axle. The battery is situated under the passenger compartment, slightly to the rear suggesting at least a slight rear bias. Anyone with single motor Tesla with experience on how this affects driving dynamics?

 

[crownmountain]

I have a Mustang Mach E premium 2 Wheel Dr. with an extended battery. It is a rear wheel drive only car. It’s great. It handles well no issues. The regenerative breaking works fine.

I fully expect the rear wheel drive for slate will be just fine considering that the motor is at the rear axle.

 

[Shay]

It's fine. No different than the sensation of engine braking when letting off the gas and decelerating in an ice vehicle with rear wheel drive, or down shifting with the manual. Regenerative braking typically only gets up to 10 to 15% total braking capacity before hydraulic brakes are actuated if you are on the pedal.

 

[Lee Mortensen]

Regenerative braking is somewhat unlike disc. In that most of the time it is a smoother, graduating braking/slowing. It starts sort of slowly and does more easing in to a stop. It can take a bit to get used to it. I have 2 Tesla’s with the first in 2018.

 

[AZFox]

I fully expect the rear wheel drive for slate will be just fine considering that the motor is at the rear axle.

Knowing the front-to-rear weight bias of the Slate would be helpful. It's on my growing list of questions I'm keeping in my notes.

 

[5ohbrad]

My question was aimed more at someone who has driven both variants if a car that can be had with single and dual motors such as a Mach E or Model 3. I am curious if there is a noticeable difference in how the system operates in regard to braking bias. I’m familiar with how regen braking works, but I’ve only experienced it in vehicles with motors on both axle (had a Ford Lightning). Admittedly i don’t know how much of the braking was done by the brakes, but I would imagine it was low- around 10% while in 1 pedal mode maybe? I would argue it’s not at all like engine braking or down shifting manual(have a Mustang with a 6 speed). It’s both smoother and more effective at slowing and stopping the vehicle.

 

[zipn]

Had a BOLT EUV with regen and, to GM's credit, an excellent one-pedal mode. FWD single motor. BOLTs are excellent EVs, but they don't charge very fast on level-3 chargers.

 

[5ohbrad]

Had a BOLT EUV with regen and, to GM's credit, an excellent one-pedal mode. FWD single motor. BOLTs are excellent EVs, but they don't charge very fast on level-3 chargers.

While I prefer RWD, it’s surprising to me that an EV with a single motor wouldn’t be FWD, given the front axle handles most of the braking.

 

[zipn]

Got a confirmation from Slate that it will support one-pedal driving (and of course will have regen braking)

 

[catiare]

My question was aimed more at someone who has driven both variants if a car that can be had with single and dual motors such as a Mach E or Model 3. I am curious if there is a noticeable difference in how the system operates in regard to braking bias. I’m familiar with how regen braking works, but I’ve only experienced it in vehicles with motors on both axle (had a Ford Lightning). Admittedly i don’t know how much of the braking was done by the brakes, but I would imagine it was low- around 10% while in 1 pedal mode maybe? I would argue it’s not at all like engine braking or down shifting manual(have a Mustang with a 6 speed). It’s both smoother and more effective at slowing and stopping the vehicle.

I had a Model Y AWD and a Model 3 RWD and the regen experience is about the same in both from the drivers perspective . Not sure if that answers your question.

 

[crownmountain]

While I prefer RWD, it’s surprising to me that an EV with a single motor wouldn’t be FWD, given the front axle handles most of the braking.

What’s actually interesting? Is that most 2 wheel drive EV‘s have been rear wheel drive no matter the size. In addition to my Mach-E I have a mini Cooper EV which is 2 Wheel drive electric and it is Front Wheel Drive (basically a BMW I3 rwd flipped around). Between the 2 of them there is not a big difference until you stop. The Ford will engage the brakes and the MINI will still roll if you let off the brakes on a grade.

 

[5ohbrad]

What’s actually interesting? Is that most 2 wheel drive EV‘s have been rear wheel drive no matter the size. In addition to my Mach-E I have a mini Cooper EV which is 2 Wheel drive electric and it is Front Wheel Drive (basically a BMW I3 rwd flipped around). Between the 2 of them there is not a big difference until you stop. The Ford will engage the brakes and the MINI will still roll if you let off the brakes on a grade.

This is exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for. Interesting that the Ford is quicker to slow- is it actually applying the brakes or regenerative only? It would seem to me you could apply a far more aggressive regenerative braking strategy with a motor on the front axle. That said, I prefer RWD handling characteristics in most situations. I’m guessing you have a bit of torque steer in the Mini compared to the Mach E?