Riding Data & Regen
Understand power consumption, regenerative braking, and thermal management in your Zero's riding logs.
TL;DR
Positive amps = consuming energy (accelerating). Negative amps while riding = regenerative braking (recovering energy). Zero temps should stay under 80°C for motor and 65°C for controller during normal operation.
Understanding Current Flow
The current fields (BattAmps, MotAmps, I) tell you what the bike is doing. The sign and context determine the state:
Positive current means energy flowing from battery to motor. This is normal acceleration or maintaining speed.
Negative current while riding = motor acting as generator, pushing energy back to the battery.
Negative current with Charge mode = plugged in and charging from external power.
Near-zero current means bike is on but stationary, or coasting with throttle released.
Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking is one of the key efficiency advantages of electric vehicles. When you release the throttle or apply brakes, the motor becomes a generator:
Energy flows from battery to motor for propulsion
How It Works
1. You release the throttle or brake
2. Controller reverses motor field to create resistance
3. Wheel momentum spins motor, generating electricity
4. BMS directs recovered energy to battery cells
5. You see negative amps in logs during this process
Typical Efficiency
Real-world regen recovery is typically 60-70% efficient. Energy lost to:
- • Conversion losses in motor/controller
- • Internal resistance in battery
- • Heat dissipation
Temperature Management
Heat is the enemy of battery life and component longevity. Your logs track multiple temperature points to ensure everything stays within safe limits:
| Field | Location | Normal | Warning | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MotTemp | IPM Motor | <80°C | >100°C | Power derating |
| CtrlTemp | Sevcon Controller | <65°C | >80°C | Power derating |
| PT / PackTemp | Battery Pack | 15-35°C | >45°C | Charge limit |
| BT | BMS Board | <50°C | >60°C | Monitoring |
| AmbTemp | Ambient Air | Any | — | Reference only |
Thermal Limiting
When components get too hot, the bike reduces available power ("derating") to prevent damage. If you notice reduced performance after spirited riding, check your logs — high temps are likely the cause.
Key Riding Log Fields
| Field | Meaning | Insight |
|---|---|---|
| BattAmps | Battery current | Overall power flow (+out, -in) |
| MotAmps | Motor phase current | Motor torque demand |
| MotRPM | Motor speed | Proportional to wheel speed |
| Odo | Odometer | Total distance traveled |
| PackSOC | Battery % | Range indicator |
| Vpack | Pack voltage | Sags under load, recovers at rest |
Temperature limits and behavior may vary by model year and firmware version. Consult your Zero Owner's Manual for your specific bike.