What does neutral actually do on an EV?

Electric Models Forum Kia Niro EV
21

The motor is always connected. Neutral just stops power or regen from reaching the wheels. Park, on the other hand, engages the parking lock.

22

I’m no expert, but I think shifting into drive while moving is probably not a good idea. Neutral is there for situations like car washes or towing, where you need to disconnect the motor from the wheels. If you don’t like the drag, just turn off regen using the switch.

23

@Hayden
That’s what I’ve been doing. My commute has a lot of elevation changes. I got 7.9 kWh/mi on my way home.

24

Neutral isn’t really for coasting, and you might accidentally put the car in reverse while moving if you try to switch into neutral.

25

Ben said:
Neutral isn’t really for coasting, and you might accidentally put the car in reverse while moving if you try to switch into neutral.

You can’t shift into reverse unless you’re fully stopped with your foot on the brake. So you won’t be able to accidentally put it in reverse while moving.

26

@Dezi
But why risk trying to switch into neutral while driving? It’s not an easy switch and could distract you while you make sure it’s in neutral.

27

Ben said:
@Dezi
But why risk trying to switch into neutral while driving? It’s not an easy switch and could distract you while you make sure it’s in neutral.

I’m not saying you should do it, I’m just saying it’s not possible to shift into reverse while moving.

28

@Dezi
It would be interesting to test how things could go wrong if you shifted to neutral while driving, but it’s probably not a good idea. Neutral wasn’t really designed for that.

29

Ben said:
@Dezi
It would be interesting to test how things could go wrong if you shifted to neutral while driving, but it’s probably not a good idea. Neutral wasn’t really designed for that.

I had my dog try this, so you don’t have to. It doesn’t let you shift while moving.

30

Ben said:
Neutral isn’t really for coasting, and you might accidentally put the car in reverse while moving if you try to switch into neutral.

No, regen level 0 is what you use to coast.

31

@Fox
Regen level 0 doesn’t let the car drag, so it’s perfect for coasting.