Tesla drops regenerative braking options for new EVs

[TomServo]

C/Net just reported this:

Tesla drops regenerative braking options for new EVs - Roadshow

I just checked and I still have Low and Standard. I'm OK with it but my wife perfers the LOW setting.

 

[jeffbco]

Not sure I fully understand the "change" - my MY was a July build and I took deliver 8/4 (VIN 29XXX) and I still have "Low" and "Standard" -firmware version 40.8. Are others this vintage seeing something different?

 

[strider]

Yes. They are removing "Low" and forcing everyone to be in Normal. We love one-pedal driving so no loss for us.

 

[Refuse1]

Normal works great when normal traction is available. I have not driven our MY in the snow and ice yet, but I believe that Tesla recommends the "Low" setting when traction is limited and that makes good sense to me. Love the regen for normal driving but just suspect it could be a little sketchy on ice.

 

[jeffbco]

Yes. They are removing "Low" and forcing everyone to be in Normal. We love one-pedal driving so no loss for us.

Right now I have two options - by "Normal" you mean "Standard" and are they eliminating the "Low" option I currently have? Thanks.

 

[spokey]

yes, mine is a late august build on 40.8 and I still have both options

 

[tomagucci]

Odd why they dropped it in newer vehicles with the software update. I wonder if there’s an actual hardware change that made things more efficient if they take the option away... otherwise why not just remove it for everyone.

 

[strider]

Odd why they dropped it in newer vehicles with the software update. I wonder if there’s an actual hardware change that made things more efficient if they take the option away... otherwise why not just remove it for everyone.

Could be regulatory? Maybe EPA or some other country's rules do or will have them test w/ the lowest regen setting in order to show a "worst case" number for the window sticker? If that's the case then it would make sense that they would only need to make the change going forward and not for old models.

 

[strider]

Right now I have two options - by "Normal" you mean "Standard" and are they eliminating the "Low" option I currently have? Thanks.

Sorry, Standard. You are correct, but apparently only for new vehicles. Does not appear to change the behavior on older models.

 

[DanCar]

... suspect it could be a little sketchy on ice.

Perhaps Tesla programmed their traction control to work during regen braking also.

 

[Twiglett]

multiple threads on this already - along with many posts that inaccurately say they are removing it (which is nonsense)
Only new cars don't have it, every existing car is completely unaffected by this - they have removed nothing from existing cars.
A cursory check of the car will validate that it is right there where it always is

 

[glide]

Yes. They are removing "Low" and forcing everyone to be in Normal. We love one-pedal driving so no loss for us.

Wait until winter

 

[glide]

Sorry, Standard. You are correct, but apparently only for new vehicles. Does not appear to change the behavior on older models.

You understand software updates can also remove features, right?

 

[frankvb]

Could be regulatory? Maybe EPA or some other country's rules do or will have them test w/ the lowest regen setting in order to show a "worst case" number for the window sticker? If that's the case then it would make sense that they would only need to make the change going forward and not for old models.

Exactly what I'm thinking. On BMWs they changed the 'auto engine stop/start' setting so it defaults back to enabled every time you start the car. On BMW forums the EPA rating was thought to have caused that. (Before the car would just remember the setting.)

 

[E_R_N]

Wait until winter

No different than driving a standard in the snow, regulate your throttle. If you want the car to coast more so you can rely on your ABS to slow you down you are driving too aggressively. ABS was never intended to slow you down faster, it was supposed to help you keep control of the car in a panic brake situation which is funny because panicked people usually just push and pray.

 

[jeffbco]

Sorry, Standard. You are correct, but apparently only for new vehicles. Does not appear to change the behavior on older models.

So we're convinced there is a change but no one has defined the date cut-off between "new vehicles" and "vehicles". My July build with 40.8 has "Low" and "Standard". Another member here posted his August build is like mine.

 

[spokey]

just sayin' how do we know this is actually true?

the google search link to the owner's manual - https://www.tesla.com/sites/default/files/model_y_owners_manual_north_america_en.pdf still has both.

 

[Dangerous Fish]

Perhaps Tesla programmed their traction control to work during regen braking also.

It always has.

 

[DanCar]

It always has.

People have claimed it does not work well in snow and ice conditions during regen breaking, too slippery. That is the context.

 

[noshadow]

how is regen braking different from using brake pads in snow? Either way, you don't want a fast deceleration, but how does regen fair worse? Just don't let up on the "gas" pedal so fast.