Electric Vehicles with One Pedal Driving for a Smooth and Efficient Experience
What Is One-Pedal Driving?
Progress is often something that requires learning and adjustment. When the world switched from straight-cut gears to modern synchromesh transmissions, drivers had to eliminate the habit of double clutching between every single gear, for example. Or when carbureted cars with chokes were replaced with fuel-injected designs with comparatively lightning-fast throttle response, it was a whole new world that took adaptation. But those two advancements were way better, even if enthusiasts and regular drivers alike might not have agreed at first. Similarly, one-pedal driving with electric vehicles (EV) has its fans and detractors.
The way I see it, its sort of akin to an avocado-based chocolate pudding; some love it instantly, and others are repulsed by the very concept. Give it a try with an open mind, however, and youll probably realize that its pretty tasty. Its just different from what we know and were comfortable with, so it takes some getting used to. As EV adoption continues to grow, one-pedal driving will become more and more common, so lets examine the details about what it is, how it works, and why it's part of the EV future.
What Is One-Pedal Driving and How Does It Work?
One-pedal driving is the colloquial term for the experience in EVs that can accelerate and slow down using only the accelerator pedal. In essence, one-pedal driving significantly reduces an EVs ability to coast using a technology exclusive to these types of battery-powered cars. Electric vehicles have powerful regenerative braking systems with large electric motors that can essentially act as generators. These systems convert the kinetic energy from stopping into electrical energy that goes back into the batteries. This energy would be lost through free-wheel coasting, but instead, this recovery is cleverly used as a brake of sorts.
One-pedal driving has many names, too. Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis use the branding i-Pedal, Nissan calls it e-Pedal, and other manufacturers may use different names. At the end of the day, its all the same thing, though they might have slightly different applications.
Why Would Anybody Use This?
Generally, EV driving requires a bit more forethought in ways that gas cars dont. In a gas or diesel car, coasting can be advantageous, as an idling car or decelerating car uses less fuel than when a throttle is engaged. Barring hybrids, deceleration occurs via engine braking or friction braking, both of which are just converting that kinetic energy into heat and/or brake dust.
In EV driving, youll want to recapture every iota of electricity used to get the most out of our somewhat limited battery technology. In one-pedal driving when the vehicle isnt accelerating, it is using regenerative braking (often at its max rate) to recapture that kinetic energy. The results are real, as this study showed that one-pedal driving (provides) remarkable energy recovery in large EV buses. In another study, scientists found that one-pedal driving recaptured up to 26% of decelerated kinetic energy, extending the range in some models by a whopping 62 km (38 miles). Thats impressive.
How To Use One-Pedal Driving
Enabling one-pedal driving is often accomplished via a button, paddle, or on-screen menu. On the Chevy Bolt and Bolt EUV, theres a one-pedal driving mode button near the gear selector. In Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia products, i-Pedal is enabled by pressing the increase regenerative braking paddle until the i-Pedal on dialogue appears on the main gauge cluster. In Ford, Tesla, and many other EV brands, one-pedal driving is located in a vehicle settings menu.
In one-pedal driving mode, the accelerators full range of travel will be used in ways that werent before. Pressing the pedal down will cause the vehicle to accelerate, but easing up on the pedal will cause the vehicle to decelerate. Think of it like an old-school dodgem bumper car, remember those?
It will likely take some time to get used to, as the accelerator pedal will likely feel stiffer and more sensitive than youre used to. Remember, the idea here is to vary your right foots pressure and input on the accelerator pedal. Lifting off is decelerating, pressing down is accelerating, but holding steady is maintaining speed. Dont worry, true one-pedal driving will apply the brake lights under deceleration, just as if the driver had depressed the brake pedal.
Keep in mind that although one-pedal driving will slow a vehicle to a stop, its not an entire replacement for friction braking or emergency stops. If the vehicle isnt slowing down fast enough, then use the brake.
It took me a while to warm up to one-pedal driving. At first, I found the experience annoying.Because I was so used to coasting and cruising with a traditional gas or hybrid car, driving around in one-pedal mode was a jerky mess. Now that I understand how it works, I think its the best way to drive an EV, especially in a spirited manner.
Just think about it: Instead of using the brakes or transmission to enter a curve at the correct speed, simply let off the throttle and allow the electric motor to decelerate the vehicle and reach the correct entrance speed for the curve. Then, let that sweet electric torque pull the car out at what feels like the speed of sound. Its thrifty and exciting, with all that kinetic energy from braking going right back onto the road, and there's far less waste compared to friction braking and heat losses from a gas car. Cars like the Chevrolet Bolt EUV have regenerative paddles that allow the driver to get even more granular control over the regenerative braking. Holding down the regenerative paddle almost feels like downshifting, as one would pick a lower gear, decelerate, and get ready for a sharp bend in the road. Its not quite the level of satisfaction gained from pressing a clutch and moving a gear stick in a manual transmission, but its pretty gosh-darned entertaining.
Like chocolate avocado pudding or any sweet avocado dessert, I was more than a little skeptical to try new things. Now, I think sweet avocado desserts are superior to savory avocado dishes, and one-pedal driving is the best way to drive an electric vehicle. Try it, you might like it. Besides, it can be turned off completely if you find it not to be your fancy.
How does one-pedal driving work in an electric car?
Being able to drive an electric car using solely the accelerator pedal is one brilliant benefit of owning an EV. In most situations, instead of using the brake pedal (dont worry you still get one), simply lifting off the gas will slow the car down sufficiently.
You can modulate this effect by not fully removing your foot from the accelerator pedal, so you dont get the full braking force.
Alternatively when approaching a junction or red traffic light, for example you can coast to a complete stop without using the brake at all.
How do you drive with one pedal?
One-pedal driving harnesses the regeneration effect of the cars electric motor. This can run in reverse, switching from a motor to a generator. The friction slows the vehicle down and creates electricity at the same time.
So-called regenerative braking can help recharge an electric cars batteries, and offer you a bit of extra range. It wont make a massive difference, but it may add a few miles over the course of a journey. It also makes driving easier, particularly around town.
One-pedal driving doesnt suit every situation. On a motorway, you may not want a braking effect every time you lift off in the ebb and flow of traffic. The ability to coast down a long hill is lost, too.
However, there is always the option to switch the system off and often to vary the amount of braking as well. The Honda e, for example, has paddles behind the steering wheel that allow three levels of regenerative braking, according to your preference.
The Nissan Leaf, meanwhile, has a dedicated e-Pedal button on the dashboard for one-pedal driving. This increases the amount of deceleration and thus energy regeneration when you lift off. The infographic below explains how it works.
Not every electric car offers the option to drive with one pedal, but its increasingly common. The technology is also fitted to many hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars.
How easy is one-pedal driving?
Even if your car is equipped with a one-pedal system, you can always switch it off and use the brake pedal in the normal way.
The reality, though, is that within half an hour, you will probably have acclimatised to one-pedal driving and enjoy its benefits. Once you have the technique mastered, we reckon you will use it most of the time. Making driving easier and boosting electric range is a win-win, after all.
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Nissans e-Pedal explained
The original Nissan LEAF brought electric vehicles into the mainstream when it launched in 2010. And when the second-generation LEAF launched in 2018, it continued to revolutionise driving with a new system called e-Pedal, which allows the driver to control vehicle acceleration and deceleration through a single pedal. The upcoming all-new Nissan Qashqai e-POWER (launching in 2022) will also benefit from the innovative e-Pedal technology.
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So what is the e-Pedal system? How does it work? And what are the advantages?
How does the e-Pedal work?
Small but mighty, the e-Pedal could completely change the way many of us drive, inspiring the design of a generation of electric vehicles. It enables the driver to accelerate, decelerate or stop the car using just one pedal, which helps maximise the cars efficiency by reducing reliance on the traditional braking system.
Despite the name, the e-Pedal isnt a separate pedal, its a system which transforms the accelerator with the flick of a switch on the centre console. Once activated, you can accelerate the car as you would normally by putting your foot down, but when you ease your foot off the pedal, the car will decelerate until you reach a standstill.
When you accelerate, the car uses the electric motor to turn the wheels. When you decelerate, the opposite happens in whats known as regenerative braking, the power from the momentum of the wheels turns the motor as the system goes into reverse, and this energy then gets stored in the battery. But even when e-Pedal is activated, the traditional brake pedal can be operated in the usual way to help to bring you to a swift halt if needed.
What are the advantages over other systems?
At first, youll notice a slight difference in the way the car drives when you ease off the accelerator pedal, but this is e-Pedal in action, and feels like very controlled braking. This is designed for comfort and ease and supports a smooth driving experience all with the simplicity of using just one pedal. In a short space of time, e-Pedal becomes second nature to use, particularly in stop-start traffic. So, contrary to popular belief that electric vehicles are more complicated, the e-Pedal really simplifies the whole driving experience.
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Another major benefit of the e-Pedal system is its efficiency and sustainability. Using e-Pedal to slow down means theres less wear and tear on your traditional braking system, preserving the life of the pads for longer. Plus, with power being sent back to the battery and recharging your car, it can help to maximise range - a key concern for first-time EV buyers. But even without factoring in that additional opportunity to charge, the Nissan LEAF e+ boasts a range of 239 miles[1], which is more than enough for most buyers.
With an EV like the Nissan LEAF, your days of noisy, polluting engines are over with the almost silent electric motor, combined with the single e-Pedal, ensuring a more relaxing and serene drive. Electric vehicles are also cheaper to service than other vehicles. According to Nissan, electric vehicles are 40% less expensive to maintain than equivalent combustion-engine vehicles. Plus, the UK Government offers grants and initiatives for owners of ultra low emissions vehicles, so you could save up to 2,500 on the cost of the vehicle, pay reduced congestion charges in major cities[2] and company car drivers are eligible for just 1%BiK (Benefit-in-Kind)[3]. Once youve switched to easy, efficient and cost-effective e-Pedal driving with Nissan, youll never go back.
Find out more about e-Pedal and the Nissan LEAFat nissan.co.uk.Download a free guide for more on electrified vehicles.
[1] WLTP figures shown are for comparability purposes. Actual real-world driving results may vary depending on factors including the starting charge of the battery, accessories fitted after registration, weather conditions, driving styles and vehicle load.
[2] For more information visit TfL.gov.uk.
[3] Please seek independent tax advice.
