Driving With Just One Pedal is Possible in Modern EVs

One-Pedal Driving for EVs Explained

Have you ever heard of one-pedal driving? Well, if you haven’t been following the emerging technology of electric vehicles, then you may not have. For those who do follow developments in electric mobility, you may have seen the term come up before in articles or media. 

What is it? Believe it or not, one-pedal driving is exactly what it sounds like. It is the ability to drive the vehicle using just one pedal for accelerating and braking. 

If you aren’t familiar with how many of today’s electric vehicles work, that may sound impossible. We assure you, though, that it is not. Thanks to regenerative braking, some EVs can be driven in certain conditions using just the accelerator pedal.

How One-Pedal Driving Works

Regenerative braking allows electric vehicles to use some of the power generated from an electric motor to charge the electric battery on the vehicle. This regenerative braking process creates magnetic resistance in the drivetrain which has a braking effect and can slow the vehicle down.

What does this have to do with one-pedal driving? In an EV with this feature, when you take your foot off the accelerator, the regenerative braking feature mentioned above kicks in. So, if you need to slow down for a stop sign up ahead, you can slowly ease your foot off the accelerator, which will have the same effect as braking does. When the vehicle is brought to a full stop, the hydraulic brakes will be applied. Nowhere during this process are you required to use the brake pedal.

Now, keep in mind that there are some scenarios where one-pedal driving makes sense and can safely be used. Stopping at an intersection is one such example. Any emergency stop, however, will still require the use of the brake pedal for sufficient braking force.

This takes some practice to get used to, but it’s another example of how electric vehicles are bringing in the future of automotive. To learn more about the latest EV developments from Buick of GMC, contact us at Buick GMC of Rochester.