More EV Power Regen via PDA Deceleration Assist?

I've had the '23 Prius XLE less than a year, love the additional power and MPG both improved from the 2019.
Now that I've had some time with the many driving features and assist modes, I recently enabled PDA Proactive Driving Assist. While it's meant as a safety feature, I immediately noticed an increase in regenerative braking, which I believe is based on the sensitivity and car distance settings. I found it comfortable and noticeable in city traffic.
This totally reminded me of what a Tesla feels like, as anyone will tell you, the regenerative braking is heavy on EVs, so much that you barely use the actual brake pedal (good for your brakes' lifespan).
It got me thinking, hmm this whole time I've had PDA disabled (several months)... I wonder if I'll get more MPG now? More use of the electric motor... more "braking" regen?

While using the actual brakes also performs regenerative braking, I did notice something on the instrument panel while using PDA. If you have the EcoZone view on, with the green & white bars, the white EcoZone stays lit while the PDA "deceleration" is active. But if you brake instead of using PDA, the white EcoZone disappears immediately.
It makes me wonder if there's a difference in energy regenerated from deceleration (which I believe is like engine braking) and actual braking. If anything, it might create a smoother transition from stopping to starting, like it keeps the electric motor ready instead of turning it off (?).

I'll see over time if my current hot summer 50MPG average increases.
Either way, I prefer the feel of the PDA deceleration and less lifting of the foot to the brake pedal. Theoretically, it should at least be less wear and tear on my brakes, while also a safety feature.
If you haven't enabled PDA, try it and post your thoughts for in-city stopping and starting. It's similar to adaptive cruise for lower speeds. Not the same thing, but I believe it also works in conjunction with adaptive cruise on the highway as well. It slows your car down for you before using any brakes. I wonder if the brake lights come on when this happens.

2023 Toyota Prius XLE, Guardian Gray
2019 Toyota Prius Limited, Premium JBL Package, Electric Storm Blue (traded)
2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, Smoked Quartz Metallic (traded)
2010 Toyota Prius IV, Solar Roof Package, Blue Ribbon Metallic (traded)
2006 Toyota Prius, Package #8, Classic Silver Metallic (sold)
2000 Toyota Celica GT-S, Liquid Silver Metallic (traded)
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24, Black (traded)

 

Yeah, I realize that's nothing to do with B mode...
But I encourage you to try PDA mode for yourself and watch the white EcoZone bar when the PDA mode kicks in. It behaves differently than a brake press, which makes the white bar disappear.
Can someone explain why the EcoZone displays differently while in PDA mode?

 

I wonder if PDA "braking" is the same thing as if you were to light touch brake yourself? It could be something different due to the EcoZone view. I need to test a light touch brake while in PDA mode to see if the white line disappears.
FWIW, my mileage has not changed, but 50.0MPG in a hot summer is pretty good! Using Eco & PDA mode always on.

 

Because in PDA mode, the white EcoZone bar behaves differently than a brake press, which makes the white bar disappear. If you have PDA disabled, and press the brake (I think light or hard doesn't matter), the white EcoZone bar disappears, as if it's saying "you pressed the brake, you are no longer in the EcoZone"... but when PDA engages the brake, the car stays in the white EcoZone.

That's my question, why would it be different? It's something I've noticed.

 

Ok, I did a little test today. I've answered my own question.
Turned off PDA mode, tested light braking (very light)... it behaves the same as what PDA mode does for you.
PDA mode is effectively handling light braking for you. Which DOES increase MPG if you don't feather the brakes.
I didn't realize how light you had to press for regen braking (thanks to these forums for helping me figure that out).
In PDA, the white bar stays up because the mode is constantly light braking for you. If you press a firm brake, of course, the white line disappears.
Mystery solved. PDA mode is helpful for light braking, therefore should increase MPG for most people (although mine just won't seem to budge above 50.0MPG, maybe the fall & winter will help with that).

 

Yes, that's a hard thing to test while moving in traffic. I would assume that slowing down of ANY kind would engage the brake lights.
Back to the PDA braking, I did notice something else. The PDA mode seems to brake much harder than I could while keeping the white EcoZone bar still lit. I could light brake and get the white bar to stay there. But there are many times (coming to a stop light with a car in front of you) that the PDA braking is quite heavy, while the white EcoZone bar is still showing. I'm pretty sure if I pressed the brake with the same force, the white bar would disappear. I need to double check that, I'll do another test soon.
And then the question remains, is the PDA braking getting more regen than you would with your foot?

 

While I see your point here, by that logic, why does the white EcoZone bar stay there when my foot IS on the brake, during a light press? If it knows my foot pressed the brake (lightly), it should hide the white bar, right?

For some reason, the EcoZone bar is there and seems to stay there when PDA brakes more heavily for me coming up to a stopped car.
The white bar disappearing could be just a visual interface event triggered by a harder foot press, or it's possible that the regen is actually behaving differently when PDA brakes for you.