Forget The Brakes; Drive Electric Cars With One Pedal

With the production of Tesla’s mass-market Model 3 now underway, and first deliveries due on Friday, electric cars are about to hit the mainstream. For people driving EVs, it means a raft of changes: plugging in at night instead of hitting the gas station, keeping an eye on a battery meter instead of a fuel gauge, and most importantly, a change in the way they drive.

To get the maximum benefit out of driving an electric car, the accelerator (you can’t call it a gas pedal anymore!) controls both the speeding up and slowing down. Pressing the pedal makes the car go, as
usual, but lifting your foot makes the car slow down, hard, not coast.


It’s a quirk that takes some getting used to. At first, it can feel like the parking brake has been accidentally left on. But most drivers eventually prefer it because it makes inching forward in traffic much easier than swapping your foot back and forth between pedals.

In a conventional car, brake pads clamp onto a metal disc, with friction converting the kinetic energy of a speeding car into wasted heat. But when electric cars slow down, the electric motor runs as a generator, recovering some of that previously wasted energy to top up the battery. Depending on how much regeneration the software engineers allow when designing the car, the force can be powerful enough to slow the car most of the way to zero, meaning drivers only need to use the brake pedal to come to a full stop.

Nissan will become the first automaker to introduce full one pedal driving in the latest iteration of the electric Leaf, due later this year. It will have an “e-Pedal” option. The pedals will still look the same, but the brake will be pretty much redundant, and computer controls will give the traditional accelerator extra functions. Lifting off won't just slow the car with regen, but will bring the car to a full stop, and will even hold without rolling backwards on hills.


“I think this is the logical next step,” says Jeffrey Miller, an engineering professor at USC. In a Tesla, owners can already choose exactly how much lifting off the accelerator slows the car on the giant touchscreen. In Chevrolet’s Bolt, drivers have a paddle behind the steering wheel to request extra regeneration, just as they’d tap to downshift and slow down with a sporty automatic gearbox.

A next-gen Leaf driver will never need the brake pedal, although it will still be there, for those “aggressive braking situations” according to Nissan. (In other words, panic stops.)

The advantages of maximizing regen braking are huge. Maintenance costs are lower because barely-used brake pads last for many thousands more miles. There are fewer particles of dust created which pollute the air and waterways. Stopping distances will be shorter too, as the car will start slowing down as soon as the driver begins to lift off the accelerator, rather than when he moves his foot to another pedal.

Most importantly, energy is recaptured rather than wasted, so the range in electric cars is improved. (A Tesla engineer described the experimental regen braking system on the Roadster in 2007, and calculated it was around 65-percent efficient at recapturing energy.)
Regenerative braking does mean electric car owners need to take extra care on slippery roads, because slowing the car aggressively can cause the tires to slip. For drivers, learning to ease off the accelerator rather then jerk a right foot over to the brake means forgetting many years of expecting a car to coast.

The concept isn't new. Engineers experimented with regen brakes on the very earliest horse-free carriages, and it’s widely implanted on electric trains. A boost in the number of electric cars on the roads is going to make it much more common though, and mean a modern generation of drivers is going to have to forget what they know about pedals and learn a new way to stop.

Source: Wired.com
Forget The Brakes; Drive Electric Cars With One Pedal Forget The Brakes; Drive Electric Cars With One Pedal Reviewed by getitrightnigerians on 12:38:00 Rating: 5

40 comments:

  1. Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. I hope you post again soon. Big thanks for the useful info. Car Servicing Lynfield

    ReplyDelete
  2. The article was up to the point and described the information very effectively. Thanks to blog author for sharing an informative post. 4 post storage lifts

    ReplyDelete
  3. You have shared a decent article here. Your article is extremely instructive and valuable post about Car Much obliged to you for sharing this article here. car mechanic Thomastown

    ReplyDelete
  4. I would like to thank you for posting such an informative post. I got some useful knowledge from this post. Thanks for posting it. Keep it up. car repair shop perrysburg

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am very thankful to you for sharing this excellent knowledge. This information is helpful for everyone. So please always share this kind of information. Thanks. Mazda 6 Timing Chain Replacement

    ReplyDelete
  6. I got some wonderful knowledge from this post, as it contains some useful details which is good for knowledge. Thanks for posting it. Lincoln service center

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your blog had very good knowledge and that gives huge instructions and that was really commendable ideas you have good knowledge on this topic please share more information with us. Auto Spare Parts Exporters from India

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your blog is very valuable which you have shared here about Car Hire Dalaman Airport I appreciate your efforts which you have put into this article and also it is a gainful article for us. Thank you for sharing this article here.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This article contains valuable information. It's extraordinarily intriguing, so please continue refreshing this way. Indeed, your work is greatfull. Car Broker In Lagos

    ReplyDelete
  10. You wrote this post with great care and attention to detail regarding this issue. Your article provided me with useful information. It's quite beneficial to me as well as others. Thank you for continuing to share this type of information. sell motorcycle

    ReplyDelete
  11. You wrote this post very carefully. The amount of information is stunning and also a gainful article for us. Keep sharing this kind of article, Thank you.Limo Services in Maryland

    ReplyDelete
  12. You wrote this post very carefully. The amount of information is stunning and also a gainful article for us. Keep sharing this kind of article, Thank you.Prom Car Rentals in Baltimore MD

    ReplyDelete
  13. I’m genuinely impressed with your knowledge. You have shared good knowledge by this blog. It was a really attractive blog. Please keep sharing your post with us.Car Hire In Crete

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am attracted by the presentation of this article. This information about cars is really good. I really appreciate your work. It is a gainful article for us. Keep posting. Thank you. Limo Hire

    ReplyDelete
  15. I have bookmarked your page that explains it very well, I am excited to see more of it. I am glad that I came to see this, I really loved it. Thank you for sharing it. Car mechanic Craigieburn

    ReplyDelete
  16. Extremely useful information which you have shared here aboutbulletproof vehicles for sale Miami.This is a great way to enhance knowledge for us, and also beneficial for us. Thank you for sharing an article like this.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Extremely useful information which you have shared here about BMW service. This is a great way to enhance knowledge for us, and also beneficial for us. Thank you for sharing an article like this.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I prefer high-quality content, which I discovered in your article about Private airport transfers Melbourne. The information you've provided is useful and important to us. Continue to post articles like these. Thank you very much.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thank you for providing me with such valuable information about Full Detail Car Cleaning in Tysons MD.This article provided me with some useful knowledge. Continue to make posts like this.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I certainly appreciate this. It is an extraordinary site and has a pleasant article. Great job! You all do an extraordinary blog, Keep up the great work.Certified Car Mechanics Quotes USA

    ReplyDelete
  21. You've posted a very informative post here. This article provided me with some useful knowledge. Thank you for sharing about Engine Recondition perth. Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I just need to say this is a well-informed article which you have shared here about hoodies. It is an engaging and gainful article for us. Continue imparting this sort of info, Thanks to you. international freight forwarders

    ReplyDelete
  23. Great article by the great author, it is very massive and informative but still preaches the way to sounds like that it has some beautiful thoughts described so I really appreciate this article. Car Service Preston

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thanks for publishing such best knowledge with us. You are doing such a great job. This info is very helpful for everyone. Keep it up. Thanks.Read more info about broken truck buyer

    ReplyDelete
  25. You are providing good knowledge. It is really helpful and factual information for us and everyone to increase knowledge. Continue sharing your data. Thank you. Read more info about auto wreckers

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thanks for publishing such great information. You are doing such a great job. This information is very helpful for everyone. Keep it up. Thanks. Read more info about Automobiles Accessories Free Coupons Gold Coast

    ReplyDelete
  27. You have done good work by publishing this article here. I found this article too much informative, transfer from manchester airport and also it is beneficial to enhance our knowledge. Grateful to you for sharing an article like this.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Very good, This information is essential and informative which you have shared here. It is beneficial for beginners to develop their knowledge. It is very gainful information. Thanks for share it. Read more info about massey parts online

    ReplyDelete
  29. At this time, if you can use good medicinal materials and ingredients to strengthen hormones,Mechanics Ellerslie will be able to retain your youth and enjoy masculine power.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Amazingly helpful which you have shared here. I am impressed by the details and also it is a significant article for us. Continue imparting this sort of info, Thank you.Luxury Car Services Tampa

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thank you for sharing good knowledge and information. It's very helpful and understanding. as we have been looking for this information for a long time. Chauffeur car Melbourne airport

    ReplyDelete
  32. This article provided me with a wealth of information. The article is incredibly helpful and offers some of the most useful information smm panel. Thank you for sharing it with us. Mobile Car Repairs Melbourne

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thanks for sharing this valuable information. I have gone through your blogs and got meaningful information about Hail Damage Repair Cost in Gaithersburg Md for more info visit our site.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Book the best luxury car rental miami services with mph club on your next trip to south Florida, great daily luxury car rental deals. Luxury rental car Miami

    ReplyDelete
  35. Amazingly helpful which you have shared here. I am impressed by the details and also it is a significant article for us. Continue imparting this sort of info, Thank you.Buy rear disc brakes NZ

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thank you for providing me with such valuable information about fastest traffic school online. This article provided me with some useful knowledge. Continue to make posts like this.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I read the above article and I got some unique sort of data from your article about a sleeping cushion. It is a useful article to improve our insight for us. Grateful to you for sharing an article like this.mobile auto glass

    ReplyDelete
  38. A quite enlightening piece. Keep publishing more.newcastle Limo Hire

    ReplyDelete

Take advantage of our blog traffic and promote your product to millions of viewers.

For advert placements and other Enquiries, kindly send us a mail at getitrightnigerians@gmail.com or call 08025707646, 07031338542

Visit the Play stores to Download our mobile app and stay up -to-date.

Powered by Blogger.