What does ECO mean in new energy vehicles?
2 Answers
ECO stands for the economic driving mode of a vehicle. It is an English abbreviation formed by combining Ecology (environmental protection), Conservation (energy saving), and Optimization (power). The Eco mode is further divided into active Eco driving mode and non-active Eco driving mode. When the Eco indicator light on the dashboard illuminates, it indicates that the vehicle's economic mode has been activated. Eco mode can be either active or non-active. The difference lies in the fact that the active mode has a dedicated button, allowing the driver to choose whether to activate it. When the driver presses the Eco mode switch, the dashboard indicator light immediately turns on, and the vehicle automatically begins adjusting settings such as throttle opening, transmission shift logic, and air conditioning output power. Non-active Eco mode does not have a dedicated button. When the Eco indicator light on the dashboard illuminates, it serves merely as a reminder function. The Eco system automatically evaluates your driving behavior. If your current driving operation achieves the optimal fuel supply, the dashboard will simultaneously display the Eco indicator light. Most vehicles use the active Eco driving mode, which means they have a dedicated switch button. Therefore, during daily driving, we can activate the Eco mode. However, it is unnecessary to enable Eco mode when driving at speeds exceeding 120 km/h, during idle parking, in N/P gear, or in manual mode, especially when climbing hills. Doing so would not only fail to demonstrate the fuel-saving characteristics of Eco mode but also negatively impact the vehicle's power performance. Additionally, the Eco mode typically becomes ineffective under the following circumstances: When the vehicle speed exceeds 120 kilometers per hour, the system prioritizes speed, causing the Eco mode to automatically deactivate. During idle parking or when in N/P gear or manual mode, the Eco mode may also become ineffective. When a high torque output is required, such as when climbing a hill, the engine control unit prioritizes ensuring sufficient power to drive the vehicle, and the Eco mode will not function in such cases.
I often drive new energy vehicles, and the ECO mode stands for Economy Mode, primarily designed to optimize electricity consumption for increased range. It achieves this by automatically reducing motor output power, providing gentler acceleration response, and limiting the power consumption of air conditioning or other electronic devices. When you activate ECO mode, the vehicle's response becomes smoother, avoiding the aggressive surge seen in Sport mode, thereby reducing unnecessary energy waste. During my test drives of Tesla and BYD, I noticed that enabling ECO mode can decrease electricity consumption by 10% to 15% per 100 kilometers, which is particularly useful for long-distance travel. Of course, if the road is bumpy or you need to overtake quickly, it makes the driving experience more subdued, and prolonged use might even affect driving enjoyment. However, this mode is highly practical—it's most cost-effective during daily urban commutes or in traffic jams, especially for those who prioritize savings and environmental friendliness. The setup is simple too; many cars allow one-touch switching via the screen. Overall, this feature is quite popular in new energy vehicles, helping many extend their battery life.
