What does the E gear in a car mean?
3 Answers
E gear stands for Ecology mode, also known as energy recovery mode. Although it is also used for forward movement, it is more economical, commonly referred to as the power-saving gear. The E gear, like the D gear, can be used for daily driving. Using the E gear can save approximately 10% to 30% of electricity, especially when going downhill, where the kinetic energy from the descent can be converted into electricity to charge the battery, achieving the goal of power saving. How ECO mode works: It can be achieved by changing the gear shift timing of the transmission, altering the sensitivity of the accelerator pedal, and adjusting the output power of the air conditioning system. In ECO mode, the transmission shifts gears earlier, resulting in the engine feeling somewhat less powerful and the vehicle's acceleration performance being reduced. Changing the sensitivity of the accelerator pedal means that, while the engine responds immediately when the pedal is pressed under normal conditions, there is a delay of a few seconds in ECO mode. Some vehicle models also limit the usage power of the air conditioning in ECO mode to reduce the engine's load and lower fuel consumption.
Oh, I was also confused by this when I first bought my car. My hybrid car has an 'e-gear' marked in the gear shift area, which actually stands for 'Economy Mode'. When this mode is activated, the car actively helps save fuel, such as making the throttle response gentler and automatically reducing the air conditioning power, like turning on the power-saving mode on a phone. Once, I specifically tested it on the highway, and using the e-gear saved nearly 1 liter of fuel compared to the normal mode! However, you might feel the acceleration is a bit sluggish when climbing steep slopes, but it's quite suitable for urban commuting. Remember, the e-gear and pure electric EV mode are not the same thing; the latter doesn't use any fuel at all.
Last week when I test drove a new energy vehicle, the salesperson demonstrated it to me. Simply put, the E-gear is an energy-saving mode, commonly labeled in domestic new energy vehicles like BYD and Geely. In this mode, the system does three things: first, it limits the motor's power output, significantly reducing the push-back feeling when you floor the accelerator; second, it increases the energy recovery intensity, making the drag sensation particularly strong when you release the accelerator; third, it intelligently adjusts the air conditioning compressor speed. Manufacturer data claims it can save 15% on electricity, but in my actual driving experience, I felt that range anxiety was reduced instead. Note that it's best not to use E-gear on icy or snowy roads, as tire grip may be affected.
