Not Ready for Prime Time?

[David Green]

Regarding regen level in Bolt vs Model 3, there is an fundamental drivetrain difference in the two vehicles right now. Bolt is FWD; Model 3 is RWD.

In an ICE this doesn’t matter, mechanical brakes do all the stopping with the front brakes shouldering the majority of the load. That is just how the physics work. You would quickly lock your rear wheels if you attempted to heavily brake with rear wheels only.

The limit is likely based on tire grip with the current Model 3, not motor/battery current. This would go away once the dual motor AWD Model 3 is released. There is no guarantee that Tesla will up the regen on that Model, but the capability should be there.

Thanks for the information, RWD over FWD is something I had not previously thought of, but can see how it would make a difference in braking.

 

[Pushmi-Pullyu]

The limit is likely based on tire grip with the current Model 3, not motor/battery current. This would go away once the dual motor AWD Model 3 is released. There is no guarantee that Tesla will up the regen on that Model, but the capability should be there.

That's a good point, and it's entirely true that regen with front wheels only can potentially recapture significantly more energy than regen with rear wheels only. I say "potentially" only because the systems have to be engineered and built properly to maximize the amount of energy recaptured.

Does this mean the Bolt EV recaptures more energy using regen than the TM3 does? I have no idea, and I'd love to see a comparison of regen between the two cars, performed by someone who actually has the ability and expertise to do a proper real-world comparison!
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[ponzu]

It's usually a good idea to wait a while before purchasing any new model or newly refreshed model. I feel sorry for anyone who is stuck with a 2016 Volt considering how reliable the 2015 and 2017 Volts have been. Waiting a year or two is always a safe bet!

Usually. But the incredible vanishing $7,500 tax credit makes it an unusual situation. Does it change the calculation?

 

[David Green]

Usually. But the incredible vanishing $7,500 tax credit makes it an unusual situation. Does it change the calculation?

I have had really good luck buying first model year, and even early production vehicles, but with Tesla its a bit iffy... I drove a November Model 3 and a February Model 3, and quality on some things was much better in the Feb build car... But they stripped out the beautiful headliner from the November build, and put in some inexpensive cloth. Its a gamble, but for $7500 I would go for it now...