MG ZS EV regenerative braking is limited please use brake

[Lovemyev]

After this Jan2022 update, it’s all most like KERS 1. Now I use brakes and miss the good old days,

As @Cocijo correctly posts, the Regen strength will be badly affected / reduced in strength, by low ambient temperatures.
Level 3 can feel a lot like level 1 on cold and frosty mornings !.
The higher the SOC of the pack, will also affect the level of Regen.
So, on a very cold morning and with a full battery, your Regen is going to be very limited.
Our car had the latest BMS update in Jan 2021.
The first thing I noticed, the following day was that Regen was available much earlier, after a full charge.
This make sense, because the latest BMS update creates a larger head space at top of the pack, therefore allowing Regen to be available sooner.

 

[Dave53]

Gentlemen, I have been driving my MG ZS EV for six months and when the battery is not full (which is most of the time) the regen braking worked really well even over our entire Xmas. After this Jan2022 update, it’s all most like KERS 1. Now I use brakes and miss the good old days,

I would have to agree on that after the update kers is not what it used to be, they moved the battery protection around and the warning on 100% charge does not come on but kers is still not there at 100% the battery needs to reduce further before kers is fully effective but not as strong as before the update, one thing I have noticed as a plus is that rapid charging doesn't slow down after the 80% it charges a lot faster after the update if only the CPS power points would give out the amount they are capable off.

 

[Brianlescargot]

We also have a BMW i3 and the regen works even when fully charged although not quite as strong immediately. After that initial period the regenerative braking is probably about 3 x stronger in the i3 compared to the ZS. The car comes to a complete halt even downhill and it is possible to drive some considerable distance with a bit of anticipation and never touch the brake pedal.

 

[Maximus]

Yes I had my MG first service this week Thursday, immediately noticed the reduced KERS on setting 3. Have started to use the brakes - not happy/.

Happy to report that my regen is back! If the temperature stays near 4 degree or below overnight - then it’s weak. But near 5 degrees and above, my regen is back! What a relief ….

 

[NeilC]

Regarding KERS, should I physically be able to see the number of miles available increase as it kicks in?

Because I don't, is this an issue that needs dealing with?

Cheers

 

[Hotlush]

Regarding KERS, should I physically be able to see the number of miles available increase as it kicks in?

Because I don't, is this an issue that needs dealing with?

Cheers

Unless you're regenerating for a fair few minutes it won't noticeably add any range to the GOM.

 

[Phil Hayward]

I get 2 or 3 miles added when I descend a local hill (Selsley) 200 metres in 1 mile, sometimes adds a couple when driving on the flat after the hill
At 5C Regen is bit slow building up, at about 4 C the Regen limited notice comes up, I can not read my a battery temperature but hadn't driven for a while so battery would be near ambient. Battery voltage may give a better estimate of how much is being added, power meter would need to be on zero to get a reading.
Much discussion on this forum about the range metre, complicated algorithms and black Magic?
Best not to look at the range in the winter unless you going on journey

 

[Alb]

This is the video to watch:

 

[Alan]

yep regen is non existent on a full battery, after a couple of miles it usually starts working again though. This is normal behaviour, if you get no regen at other times then that might indicate a problem and I'd get it booked in with the dealer to take a look at.

 

[Phil Hayward]

Some regeneration is available after a full charge with the latest BMS update, 5 volts lower voltage to 450 v giving some room for regen

 

[Alan]

Some regeneration is available after a full charge with the latest BMS update, 5 volts lower voltage to 450 v giving some room for regen

true dat!

 

[gazzaw]

It’s because you HV battery is fully charged and so regen has nowhere to go so it is reduced until some charge is used up.

Thanks for this post Mgkev. I've had the same error a few times (MG ZS EV 2021). It's going in for the first service and I was going to ask them to check the braking system. Now you've joined the dots I don't think I'll bother. Thanks again