[Aen]

While using the brake pedal I noticed that energy is also recovered. Anyone an idea whether this is done through the mechanical brakes or is there something smart in the car that the motor is initially used for regeneration when the brake pedal is used? If it is regeneration through the mechanical brakes, how would this compare to regeneration using the paddles?

 

[h5n1xp]

From what I can see, this is one area where Mazda have managed to exceed other EV manufacturers implementations!

The regeneration system blends regen with the friction brakes, pressing gently on the break pedal will regen using the motor, increasingly applying more friction as needed (less friction needed with more left paddle as the regen is more aggressively applied).

The paddles just adjust the regen curve.

 

[Aen]

That would be great news! It would also put many posts on this forum on paddle use to maximise regeneration in a different perspective, wouldn’t it? As long as you drive defensively and apply gentle pedal braking it wouldn’t harm the amount of reclaimed energy. Going back to the user manual and the explanation in there for paddle use you would only adjust the regeneration setting depending on the road situation. Maximum going downhill and in the city, minimum going uphill and high roads, right? Let’s try the coming days and see what it does to the range. I would be interested to hear other drivers experience As well.

 

[Thebriggie]

You need to your paddle setting right in the first place. I drive mostly with left down 1 regen and 2 down to come to a halt. Yes it will blend but you need to initial setting right to start with. Braking doesn't disengage regen it just reduces the momentum thereby reducing the amount of regeneration that can be put back into the batteries. So its the same as acceleration...lighter foot goes a long way to help. Also do not charge to 100% all the time as you miss out on the benefit of the regen until around low to mid 90's

As for paddle adjustment I do it according to the terrain as per the handbook but do it in a way to maintain momentum as that is also key. Too much regen on certain slopes slows the car down so you end up using the regenerated power to speed it back up again. Even in the winter I am getting around 3.8 to 4.1 miles per kw and that suits me

 

[DarrenB]

I clearly haven't read the handbook, as I drive using the paddles and I'm constantly changing the settings, so I hardly touch the brakes. There are downsides to this as the car can't cope going from full regen to minimal regen as it hesitates, but it's saving wear and tear on my shoes from moving between the accelerator and brake peddle .

 

[Aen]

You need to your paddle setting right in the first place. I drive mostly with left down 1 regen and 2 down to come to a halt. Yes it will blend but you need to initial setting right to start with. Braking doesn't disengage regen it just reduces the momentum thereby reducing the amount of regeneration that can be put back into the batteries. So its the same as acceleration...lighter foot goes a long way to help. Also do not charge to 100% all the time as you miss out on the benefit of the regen until around low to mid 90's

As for paddle adjustment I do it according to the terrain as per the handbook but do it in a way to maintain momentum as that is also key. Too much regen on certain slopes slows the car down so you end up using the regenerated power to speed it back up again. Even in the winter I am getting around 3.8 to 4.1 miles per kw and that suits me

What I was trying to get confirmation on was whether the MX30 was blending regen when the brake pedal is being used. h5n1xp confirmed that there is something smart in the car. I understand what the paddle setting does with regard to motor resistance when the accelerator pedal is released and thereby influences the amount of regen. But if braking also contributes to regen do you have to use the paddles to reduce speed or getting the car to halt to optimise range?

 

[Thebriggie]

It's as stated regen does work, with brakes, the blend element being light braking with regen set at the appropriate level. Braking in itself is just that braking nothing more nothing less. Brakes in themselves do not generate energy. To slow and stop use left paddle down 1 to slow down to really help stop the car use down 2. So yes use paddles to get greater efficiency when stopping.

 

[Aen]

@Thebriggie

Braking in itself is just that braking nothing more nothing less. Brakes in themselves do not generate energy.

This is where I disagree. The display in my car tells something different. The harder I push the brake pedal, the more regeneration is achieved.

 

[Thebriggie]

There is nothing in the 22 spec that shows any difference in the powertrain or regeneration but perhaps it was not published.


Regenerative brakes work by reversing electric motors that propel a car. It works like a generator and feeds energy back into the hybrid or electric system to help replenish a little bit of range. These small boosts in battery range can accumulate and improve efficiency over time when used regularly. My simple thinking is that if you use the disc brakes to slow the car you are "stealing" momentum to the drive wheel in turn reducing regeneration capability depending on how heavily you brake.. So yes foot off accelerator = greater regen, supplementary disc breaking reduces regen as it aids momentum removal if pressed beyond a certain point. So if the blend is less physical braking more motor regeneration then perhaps Mazda have softened the physical braking element? More on the non drive wheels less on the drive wheels would give you a more linear regen..but again it depends what you have set the regen level at? Also perhaps the brake pedal has been adjusted to signal more regen required to the motor before physical braking on the latest generation?

Every day is a school day with myself and EV's so I will be the first to put my hand up and say sorry and thank you for putting me right on this matter as no doubt will other forum members

 

[Aen]

@Thebriggie Thanks for your comprehensive answer. It really looks like something has changed. When I use the brake pedal the power meter clearly shows regen. Depending on the power put on the brake pedal the regen level varies. I was also using the paddles a lot until I suddenly noticed that the car was regenerating under brake pedal use. The average kWh didn’t get influenced when I changed from paddle to brake pedal use. Like you say, there is so much to learn and experience about this car and EV’s in general. I get surprised every day and learn by the day. One thing doesn’t change however; it’s a magnificent car to drive🥳

 

[Thebriggie]

Update
Out and about today I tested the brakes at 1 down. Definitely light braking increases regen so the initial blend applies more resistive regeneration first before the physical brakes are activated. Lesson learned thanks to this thread 👨‍🎓

 

[it419]

Most new EVs do this kind of smart blending. However, best efficiency is achieved by not needing to regenerate at all. Either by braking or with the paddles, the amount of energy that can be regained is only about half to two thirds of the initial energy required to speed up. Thus, contrary to what one would first think, the most efficient paddle setting is the double up (right paddle) because it conserves most momentum when you lift your foot from the accelerator. And kinetic energy that doesn't need to be converted into electricity isn't lost on the conversion efficiency rate (or to heat). Of course you will have to stop at one point, which is when the double down setting is best to recover as much energy as possible. In practice this is also the most comfortable setting for city driving as it allows you a sort of one-pedal-driving.

 

[Thebriggie]

I have had the car for coming up to 18 months and the setting given me best estimated (and I have tried them all) range is one down left with paddle adjustments accordingly. Each to their own

 

[seasidebaz]

I was playing with this the other day and with constant speed and constant pressure on the accelerator the middle setting puts the needle lowest in the “power” band. checked it on a flat road, downhill and uphill. So yeah I agree with Alan, each to their own but regen completely off will give you less range overall on an average trip.