Your Brakes are Costing you Money
Ever since I started riding my electric Super Motard I have been aware of my energy usage. I have a limited range so as i am riding I am thinking about how i use the energy I have. I realize that if I travel at max speed all the time i will use up my battery faster than if I drive moderately.
The same is true for you gas powered people. The faster you go the more gas is used to fight the wind.
I have also become conscious about my braking. I realize that every time I use my brakes I am converting the energy of my spinning wheels into friction and heat. This friction and heat is wasted energy. I spent perfectly good amps accelerating up to speed only to throw it away into my rotors.
The same is true for combustion engines, any time you use your brakes you are throwing away perfectly good gasoline. And that is no small matter at todays prices.
I guess what really brought this home for me is my test ride on the Vectrix scooter. With its regenerative braking you are recapturing some of that energy that would otherwise be completely wasted. It is not a perfect system of course, there is still some loss. But it is a step in the right direction.
So as you drive around in whatever you are driving, pay attention to your braking. Brake earlier and lighter. Try to coast to a stop whenever possible. Just like a lead foot on the gas will waste money, a lead foot on the brake will cost you as well.
