Maximizing regenerative breaking... tips?

[Bullitt4859]

The brake coach and EV coach is great, almost like a game haha. I always try to gauge my braking to achieve the 99%+. I wish they had put in a One-Pedal setting so that the PB would get the most out of each braking situation and we could adapt are driving to it.

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[SuperRaptor]

The brake coach and EV coach is great, almost like a game haha. I always try to gauge my braking to achieve the 99%+. I wish they had put in a One-Pedal setting so that the PB would get the most out of each braking situation and we could adapt are driving to it.

Maybe I'm wrong but it seems like one pedal drive would not work while the gas engine was fired up? Or would it due to regen braking being auto applied in this mode?

 

[Bullitt4859]

Maybe I'm wrong but it seems like one pedal drive would not work while the gas engine was fired up? Or would it due to regen braking being auto applied in this mode?

I figured it would work the same as it does using Adaptive Cruise Control. Essentially take foot off of the accelerator and it kicks in.

 

[amschind]

I think that the best answer may be the most difficult. The truck has a 1.5 kWh battery an uses a 40-60% state of charge range to maximize longevity. If you are Ford and your goal is "acceptably low rate of battery life warranty claims over the full 10 years", that's perfect. However, the batteries are 1) a wear item no matter how you baby them 2) tiny and 3) a piece of tech that is subject to rapid advancement. All of that combines to mean that replacing the batteries with aftermarket parts that are substantially better in every way is likely (but not certain) to be a great and generally affordable upgrade path for us in the future.

To that end, I would suggest that the (1.5kWh*20% state of charge delta)=0.3 kWh capacity is the major limiting factor for both electric range and braking regen (since you can't overfill the battery or even get it above 60% full). If you accept that you're voiding your battery warranty, then increasing the best solution is to increase the state of charge range to something like 15-85%. That nearly doubles the amount of energy that it can effectively store, but you still aren't going from 0-100% as you do with a (horribly abused) cell phone battery. I wanted this truck because the battery is small and easily/cheaply replaced, and I will likely do this mod as soon as I'm not the first person trying it out. I just want it to last until the aftermarket batteries for these trucks become common.....I bet a 2-3 kWh battery pack will come out at some point if Ford keeps selling hybrids like they are now.

 

[darioa]

I think that the best answer may be the most difficult. The truck has a 1.5 kWh battery an uses a 40-60% state of charge range to maximize longevity. If you are Ford and your goal is "acceptably low rate of battery life warranty claims over the full 10 years", that's perfect. However, the batteries are 1) a wear item no matter how you baby them 2) tiny and 3) a piece of tech that is subject to rapid advancement. All of that combines to mean that replacing the batteries with aftermarket parts that are substantially better in every way is likely (but not certain) to be a great and generally affordable upgrade path for us in the future.

To that end, I would suggest that the (1.5kWh*20% state of charge delta)=0.3 kWh capacity is the major limiting factor for both electric range and braking regen (since you can't overfill the battery or even get it above 60% full). If you accept that you're voiding your battery warranty, then increasing the best solution is to increase the state of charge range to something like 15-85%. That nearly doubles the amount of energy that it can effectively store, but you still aren't going from 0-100% as you do with a (horribly abused) cell phone battery. I wanted this truck because the battery is small and easily/cheaply replaced, and I will likely do this mod as soon as I'm not the first person trying it out. I just want it to last until the aftermarket batteries for these trucks become common.....I bet a 2-3 kWh battery pack will come out at some point if Ford keeps selling hybrids like they are now.

I monitor the charge of my PB battery and it fluctuates between 38% and 71%, although the engine will shut off only between 42% and just short of 70%. Still, I wish it could work between the 15% and 85% you suggest.

 

[hussar1683]

For those familiar with the battery placement, how difficult it would be to swap it? Looks like a pretty complex mission, at least based on the pictures/videos available on the internet

 

[Mosey]

How to brake to maximize regeneration IF you know you will have to use the mechanical brakes?

I have a couple of lights that when traveling in one direction will be down hill. I know that if I am going the speed limit and the light changes I am going to end up using the discs. Is it better to brake easy and stay in regen, then brake hard at the light, or go over regen and moderately brake all the way to the light?

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