B or D Mode Electric Cars What's More Efficient?

[@NicolasRaimo]

Special thanks to the Renault EV Club extended warranty information at www.renaultevclub.co.uk/member-offers (remember MEMBERSHIP IS FREE) Facebook page facebook.com/groups/renaultzoeownersclubuk and to the anoraks, yes I meant kWh when I mentioned battery size.

[@dixonsindorset]

Your point at 5:26 is important. I have seen several reviews that state that the regen on a Zoe is really poor compared to other cars, and that is true if you just take your foot off the accelerator. However, as you point out, most of the deceleration that happens when depressing the brake pedal is additional regen. Generally the brakes are only applied by the car when you press the brake pedal hard or get to about 5 km/h or 3 mph. So actually the Zoe is much better at regen than many people realise.

[@mil3761]

I always use B mode, but when I want less regen then I sightly press the accelerator. I find I can smoothly transition from B regen to D regen by feathering the accelerator

[@darrenwallis7630]

B mode for town driving, D mode for single/dual carriageways & motorways (unless it’s stop/start traffic)

[@edenviews]

I have driven less than 4000 miles and am still experimenting with the modes. My initial thought was just carrying on in B, all over the place. Regulating speed by removing foot from accelerator, it seems like a safety mode. I expect I did do the D along the motorway most of the time. Cruise control is another experiment too, dropping the speed on the steering wheel on approach to slower traffic - a real no pedal mode! The thinking ahead switch form D to B is what I have used a bit. Zoe driving is a constant learning experience indeed. Thanks for putting this out and it will make me consciously try, instead. By the time I've mastered it fully, i may be looking at a newer model😀

[@NicolasRaimo]

This method does apply to all EVs not just the Renault Zoe

[@dekockj]

This is especially true on the motorway when making use of cruise control. B-mode can slighty slow the car down going down a hill (slightly below set speed), only to aggressively accelerate again when the road evens out. In D-mode this doesn't happen. I know cruise control is not efficient as a human but I like cruising around 95 km/h in D, which is very efficient. Not uncommon to see 12.9 kWh/100km or 4.8 mi/kWh during summer.

[@mikesankey]

Hey, thanks for this Vid - Got a Zoe last weekend and I'm all about making the most of the battery, and had convinced myself that B made more sense as it auto regens, but it makes a lot of sense on the 'coast' aspect.

[@NicolasRaimo]

Just remember physics is the important part here. If you try to manage your overall speed better and your waste less energy… going fast into lights and trying to use B mode to gain energy will be a net loss as you can’t take back more than you took out… now that’s an extreme situation to illustrate how coasting is better

[@nigelweir3852]

I use the b mode. Constantly, consistently breaking in same manner makes it safer I feel, when battery near full only time when less aggressive. Will try without to see if worth doing

[@briangriffiths114]

I find this kind of discussion fascinating but I will confess to settling for one pedal range mode on my Fiat 500e as this matches my light-footed driving style based on exactly the anticipatory methods that you suggest. I currently get 4.25 - 4.50 miles per kilowatt hour in a mixture of town and A-road driving which is apparently reasonable for the Fiat and I really like one-pedal driving which sold BEVs to me.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

cant STRESS enough only pull down to change between D into B or back into B....thanks Nic

[@NicolasRaimo]

Pleasure Simon! psst don't forget to click subscribe

[@ianbailey2582]

I continuously use B mode but having watched your video will try D mode as well 👍

[@NicolasRaimo]

Great 👍

[@malcolmfowler8972]

Thanks for another informative video. I've got into the habit of using B mode all the time. Living in the Peak District I find it controls the vehicle speed going downhill without having to press the brake pedal. But I will experiment a little more with D mode on some of the flatter faster roads.

[@NicolasRaimo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@peterball8241]

Thanks, makes a big difference in my PHEV where electric miles are very limited. I default to level zero and use the brake pedal.

[@NicolasRaimo]

Glad it helped!

[@danielbaboiu2288]

On PHEV, there is still a combustion engine that is used to waste energy to apply braking. On a steep downhill, I got the battery indicator up 3% in D-mode (braking with pedal) and only 1% braking only with B-mode.

[@EricJanOud]

I usually drive in B mode, because I hate it when people in front of me on the highway flick on and off their brake lights (without notacibly braking) just because they let go of the accellerator. Because that's what happens, you know? The brake lights come on when you decellerate in B mode more than you would in D mode by fully releasing the accelerator (and not applying any brake pedal). Especially annoying behaviour when entering a rural area from a highway with the brake lights on for a couple of hundred meters / yards, but hardly decellerating, and then - without any change in warning signals for following traffic - suddenly start to actually decellerate because of depressing the brake pedal to stop in time for that crossing duck or what have you. So my B / D choice is not so much based on energy efficiency, but more on not being "THAT" guy.

[@tobiasstaermose]

I have a ZE50. and i wish it had the same settings as my Outlander PHEV, that have 5 levels of regen including 0(!)

[@segaiuolo]

I wish I a feature on my Zoe that would tell me "lift your foot now and you'll arrive to the next roundabout/crossing at *this speed*"

[@kjh789az]

Thanks - this B/D mode use isn't much discussed in EV reviews. Very pleased to learn of Renault EV Club being free and your involvement. Not to be confused with RZOC which has ridiculous pay for use charges. Does anyone know what B and D stands for?

[@NicolasRaimo]

D is Drive and B is Brake

[@nigelweir3852]

Since watching this video have trialled the use of either b or d . Feel it is not as safe . Combination is like driving manual and low levels save very little energy in my opinion unless your a stop start driver. Advantage of the extra regen is it can slow u quicker in an emergency at most battery levels below 90%. Accelerator control can be just as good for majority of driving . Experience of UK motorways not including the Dover area seem traffic stops or slow traffic for much of the time and I would not recommend changing the setting to low level regen as stop start traffic rife on uk motor ways. On French pay roads for example may be more useful to go to lower level but I feel it could catch you out and a one incident could be more costly than all the energy saved over the life time of the vehicle. Like eco modes etc on vehicles can cause more confusion than be helpful. Possibly why others have gone for one pedal like mini which I have experienced

[@johnenglish2702]

Surely the car has the same amount of kinetic energy and it's just the rate of "harvesting" that changes with the mode. You either slow for example from 60 mph to zero slowly over a longer distance in "D" mode or faster deceleration over a shorter distance in "B" mode but harvest the same amount of energy?

[@jadoei13]

Sending a higher current through a wire heats it up slightly more. The increase in temperature increases the resistance and thus reduces efficiency

[@watcher24601]

Interesting. I had the ZE40, can't remember if it had B mode or just the dreaded eco button. I think I just kept it in D and used the brakes unless going downhill where B was easier to control. Now I have a Corsa it is always in B as that gives a better driving feel. Slowing down gradually is great, but everyone else around here can't wait to get to the lights faster to see more of that red glow. Personally, I don't get it and prefer green.

[@salibaba]

I use exactly the same techniques in the leaf, I do also use e-pedal to stop, particularly when I’m coming down off motorways. I try to use only the brake pedal in busy traffic though as I’m weary of someone going into the back of me during high regen without brake lights on. And I find e-pedal a bit too aggressive, it can be quite jerky when you go off and on, seems to be quite straining on the drivetrain. I’ve already had drivetrain clicking issue rectified.

[@NicolasRaimo]

The brake lights still come on in e pedal

[@salibaba]

@@NicolasRaimo yea, I read that. I don’t tend to use e-pedal during normal driving though, due to how harsh it is, I prefer to use B, but tend to still use the brake pedal too now and again just because of inattentive drivers not expecting me to slow, even though traffic in front is.

[@sdjt1954]

I use D mode for motorways and main roads B mode in traffic,what about Eco mode !!

[@SimonHollandfilms]

eco mode is a pain in the @##$$ mode. just drive with light feet.

[@stephenbagwell8275]

I think D is better when there’s a risk of aquaplaning and when the battery is fully charged

[@NicolasRaimo]

Welcome to channel Stephen!

[@davidstuart4915]

driving the twisties in D and using B approaching a sharp corner gives u the satisfaction of feeling like u are changing down for engine braking :) Anyone have a definitive view on if it is ok to go one step beyond D and go into neutral for long decline coasting - using this on my old mondeo tdci and idle through the gears on clear back roads, I could eek out 100mpg whilst still cruising above 30mph :) Personally, I would like the Zo shifter to be more like a sequential gearbox, offering 2 or even 3 levels of regen so u can regen brake proportionally according to circumstances and again have the satisfaction of changing down for corners I am considering saving up for a used R135 (I currently lease one) - anyone have examples of hi mileages and effect on battery condition / life They have 5 yr 100,000 ml warranties (though i havent checked what is covered|) - does the Reggie extended warranty keep the same level of cover - when does a motor or battery failure come outside warranty / 'wear & tear mate'? Love the car, would love 20% more power, range and speed of charging and a lifetime 100,000 ml warranty (transferrable) on principal components, incl battery, main electronics and motor with trans My early 135 had a v accurate mls/kw + range, however later variant has not, also appeared to corner with less roll too

[@djgate]

This is why I like the BMW i3 method of having a coast mode built into the accelerator pedal between accelerating and regen/braking positions, Everything is achieved with one pedal.

[@mare0088]

I switch between B and D all the time instead of breaking. It depends of the traffic. I wonder, if this switching can affect or harm the engine or something else? I know it saves breaks, but maybe I am doing something bad to the engine?

[@NicolasRaimo]

You don't have an engine its a motor, so no your fine

[@sdjt1954]

I used both D and B mode depending on the traffic but I wonder about the Brake Light's in B mode!

[@NicolasRaimo]

Brake lights come on

[@sgrb11]

True one pedal driving should be a default in all new electric vehicles. Any manufacturer not doing this or at least giving the option is doing it wrong.

[@k_b7341]

I am not sure about this. All regen energy you gain, is energy you have put in too much beforehand. Most efficient would be, if you learn or adapt your driving to never use regen or even braking. One pedal driving teaches people not to drive efficiently.

[@marcjohnson4742]

Shame the owners club link will not let you join with the email it sends you

[@leslatham7797]

Do the brake lights come on when the car is in B mode?

[@NicolasRaimo]

Yes and No depends on the speed your doing and how much is slows you but the simple answer is yes

[@effin1233]

I just started using D mode Does the brake lights come on when you slow down?

[@NicolasRaimo]

Depends… if the Deacceleration is over a threshold then yes

[@effin1233]

Thanks Nick for the reply 👍

[@NicolasRaimo]

If someone takes time to write a comment least I can do is take the time to reply

[@markmerifield412]

I’m thinking of getting a Zoe, but I’m concerned that I will not be able to fully charged in 6 hours when charging at home at a cheaper rate as I do between 150 to 200 miles a day. It then becomes pointless going electric. Any advice?

[@NicolasRaimo]

If you get a charger that’s approved with octopus intelligent you get 6 hours or cheap overnight rate however there’s nothing stopping you charging another hour outside of cheap rate this means you could fill your battery but some would be at a higher rate however the average would mean it’s still cheap

[@markmerifield412]

@@NicolasRaimo thanks for your reply, it will be with Octopus. How many hours would I have to go over the six hours to get 100% charge?

[@NicolasRaimo]

@@markmerifield412 if you fit a 7kw charger get your battery size and divide ➗ however you won’t always be empty remember this and battery slows down near end

[@markmerifield412]

@@NicolasRaimo great, thanks for your help.

[@steveeggleton876]

what about N, even more efficient

[@morganmtu4525]

Il faudrait aller en montagne pour comprendre l’intérêt de mode b Descendre en mode d revient à vouloir mourir ou alors il faut rétrograder avec l’embrayage d’où l’intérêt du mode b