Re:Winter chills limit range of the Tesla Model S electric car
by lutusp on Sunday February 17, 2013 @04:45AM
(#5234743)
> Not sure how Tesla does that (if it does 'engine braking')
Tesla uses the electric motors that normally propel the car by expending battery energy, but "in reverse" to generate a small amount of power while decelerating. It's better than nothing, but it's not as efficient as many people seem to believe.
> And of course that's negated by the fact that you'll be going uphill in the way back, using more energy
Good example -- going downhill with your foot on the brake, recovers 20% of the car's kinetic energy lost by descending the hill. Going uphill again requires 100%$ of the required energy from the battery. So it's a net loss of 80% of the total energy represented by climbing and then descending the hill.
Not sure how Tesla does that (if it does 'engine braking')
And of course that's negated by the fact that you'll be going uphill in the way back, using more energy