An Under Car Scanner, like the Car Scanner app, can provide valuable insights into electric vehicle (EV) performance, specifically regenerative braking. A recent 26-mile test drive, using the Car Scanner app to record data, revealed surprising results about how much energy can be recovered through regeneration.
Unveiling Hidden Data with an Under Car Scanner
The Car Scanner app allows users to record various parameters during a drive and export the data to Excel for analysis. This functionality enabled a detailed examination of energy consumption and regeneration during a trip consisting of mixed freeway and city driving. The 26-mile journey, completed in 50 minutes and 14 seconds, started with a 100% state of charge (SOC) and ended at 60%.
Analyzing Energy Consumption and Regeneration with an Under Car Scanner
The total energy consumed from the battery was 5.639189 kWh. However, the vehicle initially used 7.255261 kWh but recovered 1.61607 kWh through regenerative braking. This represents an impressive ~22.3% regeneration rate, significantly higher than anticipated.
Graph from Car Scanner app displaying State of Charge, Battery Power, and Car Speed.
The data recorded by the under car scanner allowed for calculating these figures by:
- Recording data using the Car Scanner app.
- Exporting the data to a CSV file.
- Plotting the data in Excel and calculating the area under the curve to determine total energy consumption (5.639189 kWh).
- Calculating the area under the positive part of the curve to find the total energy used (7.255261 kWh).
- Calculating the area under the negative part of the curve to quantify the energy regenerated (1.61607 kWh).
Excel graph showing State of Charge, Battery Power, and Car Speed data.
The Impact of Regen on MPGe
The impact of regenerative braking on efficiency is substantial. The calculated MPGe for the trip was 155 when factoring in regeneration, but only 121 MPGe without it. This highlights the significant role regeneration plays in extending an EV’s range.
Conclusion: Under Car Scanners Highlight the Efficiency of EV Regen
This analysis, facilitated by an under car scanner, demonstrates that a 22.3% regeneration rate is achievable in real-world driving conditions. This level of energy recovery significantly impacts overall efficiency, showcasing the effectiveness of regenerative braking in EVs and its contribution to maximizing range. Utilizing an under car scanner provides valuable data for understanding and optimizing EV performance.
