Thinking allowed

[keith with the teef]

So, they say it takes as much energy to stop a car/ vehicle as it does to make it go. When it comes to braking the energy is converted into heat.

Heat? So how much oxygen does that burn in a braking cycle compared to a combustion engine in an acceleration cycle.

Maybees we also need to look heavily into using the energy in braking in a different way. To cut down on the green houses gasses. To uses the laws of the universe more effectively.

[PlaneMan]

That’s why electric cars /hybrids usually have some form of regen that often uses the motor/s to top up the battery.

In some of them you’ll only ever use the brakes in an emergency.

[Ed P]

Heat from friction does not consume oxygen! However as PM says, it is useful energy going to waste and it is why most Hybrids and all EVs use regenerative braking.

(It is also why my wife has been rear-ended a couple of times in her Toyota hybrid. When regen braking cuts in it stops the car in ~half the distance of old fashioned disk brakes.)

[keith with the teef]

Right. Thats that box ticked. In this box ticking exercise.

WTF for the Toyota. Need to keep an eye out for those.  🙂

[Ed P]

Some info on the Toyota system here:

https://www.foxtoyotaclinton.com/blog/toyota-brake-assist-vs-automatic-emergency-braking/

More on the technology here:

https://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/safety-regulatory-devices/brake-assist.htm

On Toyota’s system there seems to be a cliff-edge which jumps from ‘normal’ braking, to throwing out the Boat Anchor, and stopping on a sixpence. However both times my wife was rear-ended the driver of the car behind was obviously not concentrating (one was definitely on a phone, and the other said that the sun was in her eyes).

However, I suspect that most hybrids/EVs  behave in a similar way and sticking the nose of your car immediately behind one will eventually result in a collision. The old ‘two second’ rule has some force with modern cars!

[Dave Rice]

Perhaps they need to bring back the warning stickers from the 60’s when disk brakes became popular.

[PlaneMan]

Just watch out for Hybrid and E badges on vehicles in front.

As a soonish driver of a (very mild) hybrid I’ll be keeping an eye on the rear view mirror!

[Drezha]

With my Golf GTE, the brake lights would come on during regen braking, which made it more obvious. Our current Yaris I don’t think does (though it’s engine braking, not regen braking according to the salesperson).

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

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