Tata Nexon EV: The best drive mode & regen setting for city/highway

Using eco mode + level 1 regen has given me a usage of almost 125 Wh/km in peak traffic conditions

BHPian level0regen recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

As stated in the original post, I tried out this method in my Nexon EV Max. In fact, this post is the inspiration for my username.

Here are my observations:

• As far as sports mode + level 0 regen goes, the acceleration response is too quick for the Nexon. I found that city mode + level 0 regen gave the best balance. You don't have to have the best ability to manipulate the A pedal to get just the right amount of acceleration. Even 20-30% application of the pedal gives you decent pull.
• At level 0 regen, when you start braking, the regen does kick, but it only kicks in for 1 to 2 bars at most. This means that you never get the most out of the regen in any kind of driving condition.
• If you suddenly brake, the regen doesn't kick in. Tata has manipulated the BMS and brake system in this way for emergency braking.
• At level 1 regen, if you start braking, the regen goes 1 bar(due to level 1)+2 bars while braking, thus giving you a combined effect of 3 bars of just regen, which is equivalent to level 3 regen.
• So if you ever have to brake, level 1 + pressing the B pedal will give you the best efficiency in most scenarios (except on highways/expressways).
• As mentioned by OP, driving in such a scenario does need extreme control of the A pedal. This control can be easily achieved by first starting out on eco mode. Eco mode at just 20% throttle application gives 1 to 1.5 bar of acceleration, which is very easy to modulate with your right foot.
• A more advanced trick is to always keep your right foot slightly pressed down on the A pedal (say 5% application) while keeping level 1 regen. This makes the Nexon coast, while also giving you the chance to quickly lift off the A pedal to get the most out of your regen. It is also easy to switch your foot to the B pedal in this scenario.
• The comfort level for passengers as well as the driver is then comparable to an ICE car with its engine braking.
• The only caveat is, that during traffic spells, your right foot starts getting fatigued by that 5% application (this happens to me in my EV, I am not sure about other EV models)
• Using eco mode + level 1 regen has given me a usage of almost 125 Wh/km in peak traffic conditions with the AC, as well as the seat ventilation, turned on over a full charge. This range will increase if you use city/eco + 0 regen on the highways.

To summarise, I feel that eco/city + level 1 regen is a better option for efficiency for city driving, making it easy for people who use ICE as well as EVs to not change their driving style too much.

Level 0 should always be used on highways to improve overall range.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.