Adjusting speed at the fingertips when the foot is off the accelerator
Honda’s e:HEV hybrid system uses the traction motor to regenerate electric power while driving when the accelerator is released. The resulting resistance is harnessed for regenerative braking. The Deceleration Selector enables the driver to select the strength (rate of deceleration) of the regenerative brakes using steering wheel paddles. To maintain a certain speed while driving downhill or to adjust the following distance behind another vehicle on an expressway, for example, the driver simply adjusts the speed with controls at their fingertips. There is no need to step on the brake pedal. Because the Deceleration Selector also works in coordination with the friction brakes, stable deceleration is possible even when the battery is fully charged and regenerative electricity generation is not functioning.
Selecting a desired deceleration rate with steering wheel paddles
The Deceleration Selector allows adjustments to the deceleration intensity
using two paddle switches affixed to the left and right sides of the
steering wheel. Operating the “minus” paddle, on the left-hand side,
increases the deceleration strength. The “plus” paddle, on the right,
decreases the strength. The setting is automatically canceled by accelerator
operation or depending on the driving status. The setting will not be
automatically canceled if the drive mode switch is set to Sport mode*.
Whereas paddle shifters on an engine-powered vehicle are used to adjust the
strength of engine brakes by shifting the transmission to a lower gear, the
e:HEV system’s Deceleration Selector makes adjustments through the strength
of regenerative brakes. This means there is no need to shift the
transmission to a higher gear when accelerating after deceleration, letting
the driver enjoy the smooth, responsive driving enabled by the electric
motor.
*May not apply to some models
Deceleration rate selection range expanded to six levels for some models
In addition to a higher maximum deceleration rate, some models have more
deceleration levels—increased from four to six—for greater freedom in
deceleration rate control. Coordinated control with friction brakes enables
deceleration down to just before the vehicle stops. The system also skips a
level to jump from the first level to the third with a single pull on the
“minus” paddle.
A deceleration level preset can also be selected in all drive modes, not
just Sport mode, to allow driving with a preferred deceleration level at all
times.
