One pedal driving inconsistencies

[Quick]

First off, I dislike one pedal driving to begin with. However, I discovered this morning (on a 27 degree day) that it also changes how it enables regen braking when the battery is cold. On my 15 mile trip to the store for breakfast food, regen braking wasn’t working at all with a “battery too cold” warning.

The fact that a this creates a variable interface for the user is odd. Especially where speed control systems are concerned. The car should perform consistently.

I would far prefer no lift-off regen at all to this variable state. Poor design choice.

Sponsored

 

[Donald Stanfield]

The battery cannot take the voltage when it's cold. That's a limitation of the battery. One pedal driving is amazing if you know how to drive. It's the most control and connection to the vehicle out of any vehicle I've ever had and I'll never go back. I also like the fact that Rivian does not let you turn it off, forcing people to learn how to do it.

 

[COdogman]

On a cold day an ICE vehicle’s engine and brakes do not perform the same when you first start driving as they do after 5-10 minutes. Especially if it was parked outside.

 

[Quick]

On a cold day an ICE vehicle’s engine and brakes do not perform the same when you first start driving as they do after 5-10 minutes. Especially if it was parked outside.

I disagree. While there might be an exceptionally small amount of braking degradation, it’s not completely off as is the case here.

And after driving for 25 minutes - the battery was still only at 41 degrees without braking.

 

[Quick]

The battery cannot take the voltage when it's cold. That's a limitation of the battery. One pedal driving is amazing if you know how to drive. It's the most control and connection to the vehicle out of any vehicle I've ever had and I'll never go back. I also like the fact that Rivian does not let you turn it off, forcing people to learn how to do it.

This has nothing to do with “knowing how to drive”. The vehicle is inconsistent, period.

 

[COdogman]

I disagree. While there might be an exceptionally small amount of braking degradation, it’s not completely off as is the case here.

And after driving for 25 minutes - the battery was still only at 41 degrees without braking.

I think that depends on the vehicle. My Tacoma’s brakes on a cold morning were a little scary for a good 15 minutes or more depending on how cold it was. I’m sure other vehicles respond differently to it.

I guess my point is the temperature is variable so it’s unreasonable to expect any vehicle to not have a variable response to the conditions.

 

[beyondgravity]

This is actually good to know and I hope it gives big red warning when I start driving; not when I am about to stop.

 

[inconceivable]

First off, I dislike one pedal driving to begin with. However, I discovered this morning (on a 27 degree day) that it also changes how it enables regen braking when the battery is cold. On my 15 mile trip to the store for breakfast food, regen braking wasn’t working at all with a “battery too cold” warning.

The fact that a this creates a variable interface for the user is odd. Especially where speed control systems are concerned. The car should perform consistently.

I would far prefer no lift-off regen at all to this variable state. Poor design choice.

While I personally like one pedal driving, I completely agree with you that the inconsistency in one pedal driving when it’s cold is material and not good.

While some have explained the reason why regen breaking isn’t available in the cold, there is still a choice rivian has made on how users experience one pedal driving in the cold. Tesla went through something similar where they started out doing what rivian does. Then they switched to give a more consistent experience using one pedal driving by using the friction brakes when it’s too cold to use regen.

I think Tesla’s latest approach is better and rivian should adopt it.

 

[Quick]

This is actually good to know and I hope it gives big red warning when I start driving; not when I am about to stop.

It does give you a warning when you switch into drive - same as if you charge it to 100% and it can’t acccept any more electricity from the regen.

 

[Zoidz]

I understand that you don’t like OPD, and that you think it is inconsistent. This behavior has been well known for over a year. Did you consider this in your buying decision?

 

[Donald Stanfield]

This has nothing to do with “knowing how to drive”. The vehicle is inconsistent, period.

Everything in life is inconsistent. That's how life works, you either adapt or get left behind. I don't think of it as much of an issue for me personally to adjust. Just as when I'm normally using OPD and it isn't enough to slow me down in time, I apply the friction brake when necessary. I just don't see how moving your foot to use the brake pedal is this grand imposition or an issue worth mentioning.

Especially since you said you dislike OPD, shouldn't you be happy when it's cold that you have to use your friction brake? Kind of sounds like you won't be happy no matter what. You should probably work on that a little bit.

 

[freshpow]

I haven’t driven a Tesla so can’t speak to their solve for this, but perhaps Rivian will develop their own “solution” over time as well. In the meantime, if you don’t get the level of regen you’re expecting when you ease off the accelerator the clever engineers at Rivian included the friction brakes for you

 

[BigSkies]

Tesla did an update about a year ago where they use the brakes to mimic regen braking when the full regen capability isn’t available.

I agree that inconsistent behavior while decelerating is suboptimal and introduces a level of risk. The experience would ideally be consistent every time.

I hope Rivian eventually mimics Tesla’s software approach. Although I imagine there’s enough complexity that it won’t be on their short term priority list.

 

[BCondrey]

Its a matter of personal preference, obviously. I find it very convenient in stop and go traffic but it did take a while to get used to. I'm a big fan now. Braking is not entirely consistent even in ICE cars. In the rain on an interstate the first use of brakes feels different than in dry conditions, for example.

 

[BCan]

Tesla did an update about a year ago where they use the brakes to mimic regen braking when the full regen capability isn’t available.

I agree that inconsistent behavior while decelerating is suboptimal and introduces a level of risk. The experience would ideally be consistent every time.

I hope Rivian eventually mimics Tesla’s software approach. Although I imagine there’s enough complexity that it won’t be on their short term priority list.

This would be a great addition.

I will also add, the OPD has become more inconsistent when going downhill. Maybe temp has become more of a variable as software has progressed. Two years ago my 1T would require 10min of max regen before it became limited. Now, it might take 10min, or it might take 1 min. Sometimes I receive a warning, sometimes I don’t. I think it’s an unnecessary business risk for Rivian...the braking should be consistent.

Sponsored