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Maximum Regen Efficiency

Discussion in 'Prius v Technical Discussion' started by SageBrush, May 8, 2014.

  1. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2008
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    Location:
    Southwest Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    This is probably relevant to any 3rd Gen Prius, but since the testing was in a v(agon) I am posting in this sub-forum.

    I have the Torque app, and I know I can ask OBD for the current flow into the battery while I am braking. To have another data point to compare, I took advantage of a hill I drive down a couple days a week where I keep my speed below 45 so the ICE is not spinning, and collect regen leafs. Google maps gave me the distance and elevation drop, so using energy = m*g*h at

    m = 1550 kg
    g = 9.8
    h = 76 meters

    I calculated 320 Wh of potential energy.
    Wayne Brown calculated 150 Wh to travel 1 mile at ~ 40 mph on level road
    I collect 3.5 leafs of regen, equal to 105 Wh.

    All told, regen collects 105 of the 170 Wh available, equal to 61.7% collection efficiency.
    This should be viewed as just about a best case scenario, but it is terribly impressive none the less.

    Does it about match what others have measured, or read ?