There has been some discussion about dialing in simulated 'automatic like' creep into EVs, just like a gas car with an automatic transmission. If you drive an a gas car with an automatic you know that when you take your foot off of the brake the will start to roll forward if you are in 'Drive'. EVs do not do this by nature and engineers have been looking at programming this into EVs so they feel more like gas cars....this is just ridiculous. Here is a hint - EVs are not gas cars so why should they act like them.
I feel like we are taking a step backwards here...EVs are the new transportation technology, why carry over legacy characteristics - now is the time to do it a new way, a better way, the right way. The only reason we have creep in gas cars is because it was too difficult or expensive to engineer it out.
Tesla dialed 'creep' into their Roadster - I did not like it, felt weird. My foot is not on the accelerator and the motor is not turning so why should I be moving. Unlike a gas car electric motors do not turn or run until you tell them to - gas cars are always running when on - it is why they creep with automatic transmissions...they are always engaged when placed into 'Drive.
These days of intelligent vehicles there is little fear of rolling back on on a hill as most cars have hill assist to prevent this...I'm sure engineers could do that in any direction the car is pointing...just please no creep.
Is creep making the car more dangerous? Let's think about it...you can't here it or feel it when your EV is on so what is there to tell you the car is rolling forward very slowly, after taking your foot off of the brake, other than your wits which these days are absent in most drivers due to all of the distractions we face in a modern car.
One must wonder if any unintended acceleration accidents are because drivers who took their foot off of the accelerator while in 'drive' were caught off guard when rolling forward, panicked and then slammed their foot back down on the accelerator thinking it was the brake.
If my car lets me pick how many seconds I want the lights to stay on after I get out, then surely creep can be a menu setting as well. That way everyone is happy. I'd rather not have it, but without it, people WILL be getting out of their car while still in D/R. Also, if the car doesn't creep, people will get in the habit of taking their foot off the brake when stopped, which means no brake lights and more rear enders.
ReplyDeleteHi Rich, yes with EVs a lot of what we are used to experiencing in a gas car is software controlled. They can program in quite a lot, it is just up to the manufacturer to introduce it, and of course demand. I imagine the day where we can program the driving characteristics of our car from our phones or maybe the car can sense our mood or driving style ;)
DeleteWould like some type of sound when car is reversing, kind of like Electric Golf carts do. I feel like this is most important because people don't pay attention to the backup lights.
ReplyDeleteI'm in agreement with you on this....however, I would not like constant warning sounds at low speed moving forward. This should be an option we can turn on or the car has radar to sense when people are near, that technology exists today. There is a great benefit to driving a quiet car, it is much more relaxing. On a side note, when I roll through a lot with windows down I can hear everything around me much better than in a gas car.
DeleteIt is truly up to the driver to stay aware. Thanks for the note Kathy
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