Intuitive D/B Mode Switching - A Must-Have for Scout!

[tuvok]

I wanted to share my thoughts on a feature that I believe is crucial for any compelling EV: the ability to easily and intuitively switch between Drive (D) and regenerative braking mode (B) while driving, with minimal distraction. I really hope the design team at Scout considers this carefully for their upcoming vehicles.

VW has implemented this exceptionally well in their e-Golf, which I own and greatly appreciate. The traditional placement of the gear lever in the center console allows for a comfortable hand position and effortless toggling between D and B. This makes it second nature to switch between coasting and regen deceleration at various levels, enhancing the driving experience and efficiency.

Interestingly, even though newer VW models like the ID.7 (which isn't available in the U.S. market) have moved the gear selector to a side stalk, they have still managed to implement a smooth and intuitive way to switch between D and B. I'm attaching a photo of the stalk in ID.7.

Given that VW Group is behind Scout, I'm optimistic that this excellent design philosophy for D/B mode switching will trickle down to the Traveler and Terra models. It would be a significant factor for me, and I believe for many other EV enthusiasts, in seriously considering a Scout vehicle.

What are your thoughts on the importance of easily accessible D/B toggle?

 

[LastDayScout]

Here we go again. This is needless complexity to emulate a stick shift ICE vehicle that has no use/place in an EV. Please have all regen on the accelerator. I don't want to be fumbling with 26 different hand controls to adjust my speed. Put motor control on the right pedal and brake control on the left pedal. This way I have access to all of the regen i need at any time without having to move my eyes or hands. KISS.

I am open to very small paddles behind the wheel as it seems people like them but do not make them mandatory. Please make full regen OPD available as a driver profile setting that is maintained for all drives until changed.

Please also do not put regen on the brake pedal. When towing I want to know when the friction brakes are being used so I can ensure I don't overheat them. Also, I have yet to see anyone seamlessly blend the transition - there is always a bump when the friction brakes engage.

I know this is a Scout forum and I love Scouts old and new. But, I am also a big BMW fan. They do it simply and really well. With the help of my friend AI to explain how BMW does it in the iX.
AI Overview

To engage more regenerative braking on a BMW iX, you can select the "B" mode for one-pedal driving, which provides the highest level of regeneration, or adjust the energy recovery level in "D" mode to "High" or "Adaptive". "D" mode with Adaptive regen will also provide more regen when it detects a car in front of you.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

1. B Mode (One-Pedal Driving):

• In "B" mode, the iX automatically engages the highest level of regenerative braking when you lift off the accelerator.
• This allows for one-pedal driving, where you can decelerate using only the accelerator pedal, effectively stopping the car without using the brake pedal.
  

2. D Mode with Energy Recovery Adjustments:

• In "D" mode (Drive), you can still adjust the level of regenerative braking.
  
  
• To do this, go to your iDrive settings, then Drive Settings, Drivetrain and Chassis, and Energy Recovery in D.
  
  
• You can choose from Low, Medium, High, or Adaptive.
  
  
• High: provides the strongest deceleration when you lift off the accelerator.
  
  
• Adaptive: uses your vehicle's systems to automatically adjust the regen level based on traffic conditions and your speed, according to Bimmerpost.
  

3. Adaptive Mode:

• Adaptive mode can also provide more regen when it detects a car in front of you and you need to slow down, according to Reddit.
  

In summary, to maximize regen on your BMW iX, choose "B" mode for one-pedal driving or select "High" or "Adaptive" in D mode's energy recovery settings.

 

[Cranky Canuck]

Bacon is not the same thing as ham. Mic drop.

Agreed.

 

[Cranky Canuck]

Here we go again. This is needless complexity to emulate a stick shift ICE vehicle that has no use/place in an EV. Please have all regen on the accelerator. I don't want to be fumbling with 26 different hand controls to adjust my speed. Put motor control on the right pedal and brake control on the left pedal. This way I have access to all of the regen i need at any time without having to move my eyes or hands. KISS.

I am open to very small paddles behind the wheel as it seems people like them but do not make them mandatory. Please make full regen OPD available as a driver profile setting that is maintained for all drives until changed.

Please also do not put regen on the brake pedal. When towing I want to know when the friction brakes are being used so I can ensure I don't overheat them. Also, I have yet to see anyone seamlessly blend the transition - there is always a bump when the friction brakes engage.

Disagree. Please make OPD optional and use the brake pedal to do the bulk of the regen work.

If you haven't seen anyone seemlessly blend the transition then it sounds like you've never driven a Hyundai or Kia EV.

 

[LastDayScout]

Agreed.

 

[dreamweaver]

Bacon is not the same thing as ham. Mic drop.

O you are soooooooooo right. Bacon all the way.

 

[Cranky Canuck]

View attachment 6667

Hahaha I wouldn't go that far.

 

[LastDayScout]

Hahaha I wouldn't go that far.

View attachment 6668

There are some HUGE resorts down there in the blurred area.

 

[J Alynn]

Disagree. Please make OPD optional and use the brake pedal to do the bulk of the regen work.

If you haven't seen anyone seemlessly blend the transition then it sounds like you've never driven a Hyundai or Kia EV.

Flexibility has been what SM has stood behind from day one and this is a huge element. Many of us are new to EV and I’ve tried a Tesla and I don’t care for OPD. I use brakes regularly which I will adapt away from but I use paddles all the time and convenient-even if used slightly differently. Sometimes the variety is just nice and having paddles allows for some of that. Put the various styles on the UX and let people set it and forget it for their style and then paddles can override for those who choose it

 

[tuvok]

Here we go again. This is needless complexity to emulate a stick shift ICE vehicle that has no use/place in an EV. Please have all regen on the accelerator. I don't want to be fumbling with 26 different hand controls to adjust my speed. Put motor control on the right pedal and brake control on the left pedal. This way I have access to all of the regen i need at any time without having to move my eyes or hands. KISS.

I am open to very small paddles behind the wheel as it seems people like them but do not make them mandatory. Please make full regen OPD available as a driver profile setting that is maintained for all drives until changed.

Please also do not put regen on the brake pedal. When towing I want to know when the friction brakes are being used so I can ensure I don't overheat them. Also, I have yet to see anyone seamlessly blend the transition - there is always a bump when the friction brakes engage.

I agree. Regen setting should be easy to switch. The point is not to bury it in the screen menus. You should be able to turn on regen braking and not think about it any more.

 

[OleScout]

There are some HUGE resorts down there in the blurred area.

You're correct, that's typically where the all-inclusive packages are found!

 

[J Alynn]

You're correct, that's typically where the all-inclusive packages are found!

It’s a shame it’s always so humid and swampy in that region

 

[ThFocus]

I wanted to share my thoughts on a feature that I believe is crucial for any compelling EV: the ability to easily and intuitively switch between Drive (D) and regenerative braking mode (B) while driving, with minimal distraction. I really hope the design team at Scout considers this carefully for their upcoming vehicles.

VW has implemented this exceptionally well in their e-Golf, which I own and greatly appreciate. The traditional placement of the gear lever in the center console allows for a comfortable hand position and effortless toggling between D and B. This makes it second nature to switch between coasting and regen deceleration at various levels, enhancing the driving experience and efficiency.

Interestingly, even though newer VW models like the ID.7 (which isn't available in the U.S. market) have moved the gear selector to a side stalk, they have still managed to implement a smooth and intuitive way to switch between D and B. I'm attaching a photo of the stalk in ID.7.

Given that VW Group is behind Scout, I'm optimistic that this excellent design philosophy for D/B mode switching will trickle down to the Traveler and Terra models. It would be a significant factor for me, and I believe for many other EV enthusiasts, in seriously considering a Scout vehicle.

What are your thoughts on the importance of easily accessible D/B toggle?

View attachment 6628

Interesting. I've heard that early Tesla models had a way of switching between coasting and regenerative braking, but it's not easily available any longer. Maybe it's an issue that the average driver never thinks about?

 

[ThFocus]

I dont understand why you would ever not want to run in regen mode? I own a Tesla so there is no other option for me, but why would ever not want to be generating juice for your battery pack?

To be easier on the pedal on the highway and on hills. often times I use TACC cruise control in the tesla, but when there's no traffic I like the old feeling of being light on the pedal.

 

[ThFocus]

Here we go again. This is needless complexity to emulate a stick shift ICE vehicle that has no use/place in an EV. Please have all regen on the accelerator. I don't want to be fumbling with 26 different hand controls to adjust my speed. Put motor control on the right pedal and brake control on the left pedal. This way I have access to all of the regen i need at any time without having to move my eyes or hands. KISS.

I am open to very small paddles behind the wheel as it seems people like them but do not make them mandatory. Please make full regen OPD available as a driver profile setting that is maintained for all drives until changed.

Please also do not put regen on the brake pedal. When towing I want to know when the friction brakes are being used so I can ensure I don't overheat them. Also, I have yet to see anyone seamlessly blend the transition - there is always a bump when the friction brakes engage.

I've only used paddle shifters on the track; feels a bit strange to have them for anything other than manual gear change (which is irrelevant to EVs). Having said that, it's nice to have the option to let the car glide/coast under its own momentum. Cars have been able to do that forever.

 

[strider]

Interesting. I've heard that early Tesla models had a way of switching between coasting and regenerative braking, but it's not easily available any longer. Maybe it's an issue that the average driver never thinks about?

I have driven Teslas since 2010. In the early days they had the option of light vs strong regen and creep (car would creep forward when you let your foot off of the brake, like an auto transmission ICE) vs not creeping. I do not recall a way to turn off regen completely plus you could not change those settings on the fly. Tesla has a habit of logging what features/options their customers use and remove the ones they aren't using.

To be easier on the pedal on the highway and on hills. often times I use TACC cruise control in the tesla, but when there's no traffic I like the old feeling of being light on the pedal.

I still don't understand this. How long is someone actually coasting? It can't be more than a few seconds at a time. For that short of a time just hold the pedal. Again, I think everyone is overthinking this. Just drive the car. If you are going slower than you want, press the accelerator more. If you are going faster than you want, ease off the accelerator. If you reach the top of the accelerator, move your foot to the brake and press down for friction brakes. I almost never use my friction brakes - my foot never has to leave the accelerator. It is the essence of simplicity and "just works."

 

[ThFocus]

I have driven Teslas since 2010. In the early days they had the option of light vs strong regen and creep (car would creep forward when you let your foot off of the brake, like an auto transmission ICE) vs not creeping. I do not recall a way to turn off regen completely plus you could not change those settings on the fly. Tesla has a habit of logging what features/options their customers use and remove the ones they aren't using.

Thanks.Tesla's way of doing things has pros and cons. They're very much a CA tech company.

I still don't understand this. How long is someone actually coasting? It can't be more than a few seconds at a time. For that short of a time just hold the pedal. Again, I think everyone is overthinking this. Just drive the car. If you are going slower than you want, press the accelerator more. If you are going faster than you want, ease off the accelerator. If you reach the top of the accelerator, move your foot to the brake and press down for friction brakes. I almost never use my friction brakes - my foot never has to leave the accelerator. It is the essence of simplicity and "just works."

I've got easily 20+ miles of gentle downhill driving from various locations in southern PA to DC (on local roads, not on the I-95). In both ICE and BMW EV you can let go of the acc. pedal and the car just drives itself and remains within the speed limit, and only needs an occasional nudge to speed up. Maybe I'm just lazy