truffaldino

As far as I know the only hub motor with integrated multi-speed gearbox is BionX IGH3 with 3-speed Integrated Gear Hub motor.

It seems that there is no much technical information/user feedback about this system on the web except promotional advertizing and these Specs:

PL250 HT – IGH3

* Motor: 250W High Torque SinDrive with 3 speeds Integrated Gear Hub
* Battery: Lithium Manganese 36V – 9.6Ah
* Watt/Hours: 355Wh
* Torque sensor
* 4 "intelligent" assistance levels: 35% - 75% - 150% - 300%
* Regenerative assistance
* Regenerative braking
* Maximum range: 80km (note: use of regenerative mode can increase range)

So I will be grateful if someone who is familiar with the product could answer my question:

It is written that this system has regenerative braking. Does it mean that motor is not freewhelling relatively to the hub (like in direct drive system)?

If it is not freewheeling indeed, then could the use of proper gearing ratio reduce motor drag in unpowered/unassisted i.e. pure pedaling mode?

If I am wrong and motor has both freewhelling and regenerative braking, then how do they do that?

Thanks
Truffaldino