Fiat 500e Regenerative braking tested - how much power will it gain?

Regenerative braking is a wonderful technology. But just how good is it? I drive down a massive hill in a Fiat 500e to find out.

I'll explain what regen braking is, how it works and what it can do for you.

Regenerative breaking works by regenerating energy into the battery by use of the same electric motor that drives the car.

I'll be using a Fiat 500e in SHERPA mode.

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[JJonCars]

Have you driven an electric car yet? What do you think of them?

[ant]

I have a 2022 Honda Civic e:hev and there's a road near where I live in southern Spain - the A-383 - which is also a 150m drop over the span of 4km. It averages a descent of ~5% which allows me to charge my battery by at least 80%, granted it's only 72 cell / 1.07kWh at a cruise controlled speed of 80km/h. Great fun too as it's twisty. I concur with your comments about adapting driving style - I use the flappy paddle regen on the car to slow me down without having to use my brake pads or I let off the accelerator much earlier to allow the car to slow down naturally. I used to have a Kia Cee'd 1.6 petrol with a 6 speed manual and would go into 3rd gear from 6th to greatly reduce brake pad wear. I'm instilling the hybrid mindset on my relatives when they've driven my car haha.

[stuarthall]

Thoughtful review. Shows how these systems work. 👍

[uTPH]

From a slightly different perspective - I have a PHV and recently went on holiday in Mid Wales (very hilly) but live in Lincolnshire (very flat). Not only did I keep the battery charge topped up but my hybrid mpg went up from 67 (best) at home to 78 in the hills - very counterintuitive.

[mryorkshire]

I like to think that re-generative braking is the car powering the motor instead of the motor powering the car. Good video.

[A_]

Great location! Will this still work if you want the heating on, or is knitwear a necessity? I imagine the cold weather must drain the batteries too?

[peteinwisconsin]

1 kWh = energy of 1 N of force x 3, 600, 000 meters distance.
For raising or lowering the 500e, 150m, straight up or straight down, with no resistance:
1, 500 kg x 9.81 x 150 = 2, 200, 000 Nm, which is 2, 200, 000/ 3, 600, 000= 0.61kWh or just short of 1.5% of 42kWh(stated battery capacity).
Though there was little precision in JJ's experiment, his results are not far from the calculated maximum.
Regen braking reduces the penalty of driving up and down hills or driving in stop and go traffic.

[Rjhs]

Interesting vid JJ and yes, having my hybrid has definitely changed the way I drive.
Beautiful part of the world btw...my wife grew up in Chinley so I know the High Peak area pretty well.

[novicetheaf]

One peddle driving is pretty interesting to be fair. I'd be curious to test drive the newer nissan leaf

[Hali]

Good little video, don't think I've seen anyone else film this. Out of curiosity, what mode does the car start in by default - 'Normal' or 'Range'?