Is gliding at 0 energy different or the same at all speeds?

[Volusiano]

Oh, as far as pulse and glide goes, you pulse up to a certain speed, then start gliding by feathering the pedal such that the electric motor energy indicator is right a 0 kw, meaning you're neither consuming energy nor regenerating on the motor.

So the question is, are you really consuming 0 energy while you're gliding either at 60 or 50 or 40 or 30? Is there any different effect going on that makes gliding less efficient at higher speeds over slower speeds? Technically, if the motor energy indicator is showing you're not consuming energy, you're not consuming energy, right? Why would the speed matter in this case?

 

[TomT]

Unless you believe in perpetual motion, no, of course you are not gliding at zero energy. And the amount of energy you need to maintain a given speed goes up by the square of the speed due to aerodynamic drag. It's the basic laws of physics and aerodynamics. Pulse and glide is like bait and switch: bogus.

Oh, as far as pulse and glide goes, you pulse up to a certain speed, then start gliding by feathering the pedal such that the electric motor energy indicator is right a 0 kw, meaning you're neither consuming energy nor regenerating on the motor.

So the question is, are you really consuming 0 energy while you're gliding either at 60 or 50 or 40 or 30? Is there any different effect going on that makes gliding less efficient at higher speeds over slower speeds? Technically, if the motor energy indicator is showing you're not consuming energy, you're not consuming energy, right? Why would the speed matter in this case?

 

[TonyWilliams]

Pulse and glide is like bait and switch: bogus.

On an electric, yes. On an oil burner, I think the consensus may be no. There are pumping losses that are minimized by opening the throttle blades wider.

 

[LEAFfan]

Oh, as far as pulse and glide goes, you pulse up to a certain speed, then start gliding by feathering the pedal such that the electric motor energy indicator is right a 0 kw, meaning you're neither consuming energy nor regenerating on the motor.
So the question is, are you really consuming 0 energy while you're gliding either at 60 or 50 or 40 or 30? Is there any different effect going on that makes gliding less efficient at higher speeds over slower speeds? Technically, if the motor energy indicator is showing you're not consuming energy, you're not consuming energy, right? Why would the speed matter in this case?

If you see an indicator/line on the console energy screen at the zero mark or above, you are using juice. But if there is no line, then no juice is being used. And the only way not to see a line is either be in 'N' or feather into the neutral bubble at a very low speed.

 

[SanDust]

And the amount of energy you need to maintain a given speed goes up by the square of the speed due to aerodynamic drag.

Actually it's worse than this. Drag is measured in newtons and goes up with the square. Power needed to overcome the drag force is measured in watts and goes up with the cube. Hence energy, which is power x time, is measured in wh and goes up with the cube as well.