Yesterday, I made a post about testing things with my OBD2 scanner. A user pointed out that regenerative braking behaves differently across driving modes, especially in Unbridled mode. That got me thinking about two-pedal driving (TPD), which I haven’t used since enabling one-pedal drive (OPD) at the dealership.
I tested all three modes in TPD this morning, starting at 50 MPH and fully letting off the accelerator:
Unbridled: ~130 amps of regen (48 kW).
Engage: ~40 amps of regen (15 kW).
Whisper: ~18 amps of power draw (7 kW), meaning no regen; the draw comes from the heater and accessories.
In OPD, maximum regen is the same across all three modes at 230 amps returned (85 kW).
If you haven’t tried OPD, give it a shot! It’s not for everyone, but it adds an element of control that feels like piloting a ship or plane. Once you master it, you can drive without using the brake pedal. I recommend occasionally braking hard to clean the rotors, but otherwise, it’s smooth sailing in OPD.
In Whisper mode with TPD, regen only kicks in lightly when you press the brake pedal. OPD makes it easier to ensure you’re fully using regen instead of wearing down the brake pads.
Efficiency with coasting vs regen depends on more than just amps at the moment you lift off the accelerator. Coasting reduces kinetic energy loss compared to braking, even with regen. That’s why coasting as long as possible before braking is the most efficient way to use energy.
For me, OPD works great in stop-and-go traffic, but TPD feels better on highways. Try both and see what you like!
@Andre
Great points! I specifically tested coasting regen since all three modes apply regen when braking. Coasting is always more efficient than braking, though regen is far better than friction brakes.
For example, on a long off-ramp, coasting to bleed off speed is more efficient than maintaining power and using regen at the end.
StangSteve said:
I tried OPD and hated it. It feels like driving a golf cart. I also don’t like how much I have to modulate my foot, especially on hilly roads.
StangSteve said:
I tried OPD and hated it. It feels like driving a golf cart. I also don’t like how much I have to modulate my foot, especially on hilly roads.
Stevie said:
Anyone else find parking in OPD a pain?
Yes! I turn it off when backing into my garage. It’s too jerky for precise movements.
I like the precision OPD offers, especially for tight spaces. My garage gives me just an inch of clearance front and back, and OPD lets me make tiny adjustments without switching pedals.