Coasting Downhill Maximum Recharge

[daveross1212]

why do people think that "1 pedal gives more regen"? (same w/ sport mode). I've seen here and on numerous other forums that common misconception. Whether you are letting off the gas or stepping on the brake, the truck will use as much regen as possible until you request (using the brake pedal) more deceleration than regen can deliver.

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[hturnerfamily]

one thing I've come to realize after owning many different EVs, driving a Tesla Model 3 cross country, and now the LIGHTNING for 25,000 miles - the 'regen' mode, or amount of regen you can customize while going 'downhill' is, over the long miles of an extended trip, no different in the long run.
For instance, my Lightning has 'Normal' mode, with little to no noticeable regen slowing... if I come out of the 'mountains' and have a lot of downhill runs, it would 'seem' I might not be recapturing enough 'regen' ... but, you have to also remember that with every 'downhill' eventually comes an 'uphill', where your existing MOTION will help to carry you 'up' that hill, without much, or the same amount of battery power as otherwise needed.
With a higher degree of REGEN, such as with my 'Sport' mode, yes, those downhill runs will provide a LOT of regen, comparatively, but you have to also remember that while it is capturing 'regen' on the downhill, you are also LOSING momentum to get started on the next 'uphill', meaning that now your BATTERY is required to make more of that happen.

The truth is this: very, very, very seldom does one 'mode' of regen versus another give you ANY degree of advantage, OVER THE LONG RUN.

Don't sweat it. Use whatever 'mode' of regen you wish, as the overall long-run outcome will be the same. IF you are TOWING A CAMPER, use the LEAST amount of regen, because, after all, the camper's weight is now PUSHING you down the hill, and providing even MORE speed and MORE momentum to start the next 'uphill'... your truck will appreciate it. If you find that the camper is pushing you TOO fast, then yes, you may need to use 'Tow/Haul' mode for a little more regen/slowing, or even the 'Sport' mode, for the MAX regen. You can even switch BETWEEN the modes depending on the terrain, at will.

One mode is not 'better' than the others, it's just different.

Engineers at EV manufacturers all over the world are trying to 'maximize' regen, but even THEY realize that the laws of physics don't allow one to provide much difference than another, over the long-run. Our minds want to make more out of it than what reality can actually give.