Zi Hui's reader's response Draft 3

In the article “10 Reasons Why The Hyundai Kona Electric Is Better Than The Tesla Model 3” (Moore, 2023), the KONA Electric Vehicle (EV) offers a range of four distinct regenerative braking settings, spanning from level zero to three. The smart regenerative braking system employs its onboard radar sensor to automatically adjust the amount of regenerative braking according to different road conditions such as changes in steepness on roads or traffic conditions ahead. This allows the state of charge of the vehicle to be maintained at a healthy level. Secondly, the KONA also has “one-paddle mode” which allows users to stop the vehicle without using conventional brakes. The smart regenerative system enhances the KONA electric vehicle in terms of energy conservation and efficiency. Additionally contributing to greener transport emissions, which is one step towards curbing global warming.

The KONA has regenerative braking from level zero to three, with level zero having no regenerative braking, and level three being the highest. Hence with this function, when the user releases the accelerator pedal at level zero, the vehicle will be coasting, while at level three the vehicle will have a considerably powerful braking (Han, 2022). The regenerative braking can be adjusted by using the left and right paddles located behind the steering wheel. The left paddle increases regenerative braking and deceleration, on the other hand, the right paddle does the opposite (Hyundai, 2023). During regenerative braking, the motor slows down the vehicle by converting kinetic energy back to electrical energy (Tharad, 2023), hence charging the battery. This allows the EV to conserve electricity and be able to go beyond its maximum range in a single charge of 484 kilometers (Hyundai, 2023).

The second feature of this EV is its smart recuperation system. Incorporating radar sensors, the regenerative braking system automatically changes the regenerative braking according to specific road conditions, such as the steepness of the road. This diminishes the redundancy of using conventional braking and accelerating, reducing the amount of energy loss from braking, resulting in the enhancement of driving experience and energy efficiency (Hyundai, 2023.).

Another feature that involves regenerative braking in KONA is the “one-paddle mode”. By pulling and holding the left paddle shifter upon releasing the accelerator, the driver is able make a complete stop in the vehicle while charging the EV simultaneously through the use of torque. This reduces the usage of conventional brake pedals. Additionally, the decreased usage of brakes lessens wear and tear on frictional brakes (Energy.gov, n.d.). This indirectly increases the brakes’ lifespan, saving on costs and requirements for maintenance.

Additionally, having regenerative braking systems in vehicles allows EVs to be more eco-friendly. Statistics showed that the regenerative system can convert 70% of energy lost from conventional braking back to electricity (Energy5, 2023), which helps to reduce the amount of power generated for charging vehicles and reducing overall carbon emissions (Energy5, 2023). This allows the EV to be energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

However, the downside of the smart regenerative system is that the radar sensor may not be able to correctly detect obstacles in certain situations. For example, on a one way lane where a right or left turn is to be executed. When vehicle A is diagonally ahead of the KONA in an adjacent lane. The KONA will assume that vehicle A is an obstacle in its path. This will result in the EV enhancing the regenerative braking system to avoid colliding on that obstacle though both vehicles will attempt to make the same turn (HyundaiUSA, 2023). This results in the KONA to enhance the regenerative braking excessively, needlessly losing more energy than the system is gaining. Hence experts from Hyundai warned that drivers need to ensure that the road conditions are safe before using the smart regenerative system and be always ready to use the brake pedal and adjust the regenerative braking level whenever necessary (HyundaiUSA, 2023).

All in all, the regenerative braking system enhances the KONA EV in terms of energy conservation and efficiency, in addition to using modern technologies allows the vehicle to adapt and maximize energy recuperation under any road conditions. The KONA EV is an ideal vehicle on roads like Singapore, where heavy traffic is common along the business district during peak hours daily. Cumulatively, the recuperative system will make a significant impact on reducing energy consumption. On a global scale, having more EVs with regenerative braking systems also reduces overall transport emissions, leading to a positive impact on global warming.