Skip to content
Le Ravi
Menu
The accelerator pedal in cars has another function: few people know it
By Greta Taubert
08/29/2025Nearby car dealerships
in Science
The accelerator pedal in cars has another function: few people know it
© Shutterstock
The accelerator pedal in your car holds a secret few drivers know about. Imagine controlling your speed
while simultaneously recharging your vehicle’s battery—all with the simple lift of your foot. Welcome to
the world of one pedal driving, a game-changer in electric and hybrid vehicles that is shaping the future of
driving.Nearby car dealershipsCar insurance
The hidden function of the accelerator pedal
Why you should never drink from a water bottle left in your car
One teaspoon a day is enough to transform your skin and sharpen your mind
You might think the accelerator pedal’s only job is to make your car go faster. But in electric cars, it does a
whole lot more. When you ease off the pedal, one pedal driving kicks in, slowing the car down smoothly
without hitting the brake. This is no ordinary engine braking like you find in traditional gas or diesel
engines. Instead, this system captures the energy typically lost when decelerating and converts it back into
electricity, which charges the vehicle’s battery.Nearby car dealershipsCar insurance
I still remember the first time I drove with this feature. At first, it felt strange and counterintuitive—almost
like the car had a mind of its own. But in minutes, I was hooked. City driving became less stressful, and the
smooth deceleration made stop-and-go traffic far more manageable.
How one pedal driving boosts efficiency and safety
One of the biggest perks of one pedal driving is battery regeneration. Although you still need to plug in
your car regularly, this feature stretches your range by reclaiming energy that would otherwise be wasted.
Think of it like squeezing extra miles out of every gallon—or in this case, every kilowatt hour.Nearby car
dealershipsCar insurance
Beyond efficiency, the system reduces wear on your braking system. Since you rely less on the brake pedal,
brake pads and discs last longer, saving you money on maintenance. Plus, the responsiveness of the car
when you lift your foot makes stopping intuitive and safe. This means less fatigue during long drives or
heavy traffic, making it easier to stay alert and comfortable.
Mastering the art of one pedal driving
James Webb telescope reveals stunning new secrets of the heart of the butterfly nebula
Nearby car dealershipsCar insurance
Why you should disable Meta AI on WhatsApp and how to do it easily
One important thing to keep in mind is that one pedal driving doesn’t completely replace your brake
pedal. Emergency stops, steep inclines, or tight maneuvering still demand traditional braking. However, for
daily commutes and casual city driving, it’s a practical and efficient way to operate your vehicle.
Driving an electric vehicle with this technique shifts your focus. You become more aware of your
surroundings—anticipating stops, gauging distances, and using slopes to your advantage. This helps
conserve energy and promotes a gentler, more eco-friendly style of driving.
I found that adopting one pedal driving made me a more thoughtful driver overall. It forced me to slow
down and become patient, which made rush hour a bit less stressful and, frankly, enjoyable.
Why one pedal driving matters for the future of driving
This technology may seem like a simple convenience, but its potential impact is huge. Besides extending
the life of your vehicle’s components and saving energy, it pushes us toward driving habits that are kinder
to the environment. It’s a subtle yet powerful nudge into a more sustainable future, without requiring
complicated gadgets or extra skills. Just a smooth lift of your foot is all it takes.
If you drive an electric or hybrid car and haven’t tried this feature yet, now’s the time. It could transform
your daily driving experience while helping you get the most out of your battery. And if you’re considering
making the switch to a greener vehicle, this little trick could make that transition easier and even more
enjoyable.
What do you think about adopting one pedal driving? Have you tried it or want to give it a shot? Share
your experiences or thoughts—let’s keep this conversation rolling and drive toward smarter, cleaner
journeys together!
The largest great white shark ever recorded is now swimming near a popular tourist destination
08/29/2025
The largest great white shark ever recorded is now swimming near a popular tourist destination
08/29/2025
35 thoughts on “The accelerator pedal in cars has another function: few people know it”
Brian Seth
08/30/2025 at 10:10 pm
Good idea but needs brake lights to come on on deceleration.
Reply
Allan Watson
08/31/2025 at 11:29 am
The brake lights DO come on with one pedal driving!
Reply
Bob
08/31/2025 at 11:29 am
In my Renault Symbioz the brake lights come on when deaccelerating.
Reply
Derek
08/31/2025 at 4:11 pm
I drive like this in my gas car when I want to slow down I take my foot if the
accelerator pedal and the car slows down by itself due to the weight of the car so when I do switch to a
electric or hybrid car it will just be the same type of driving with the add advantage that it adds energy
where as in a gas car it doesn’t
Reply
Jeff
08/31/2025 at 8:15 pm
Yo..D..”the weight ect..”..Naw..is engine compression and your gears slowing the driveline rotation by
down shifting when you lift yer foot. (Automatic trans)
To verify my observation..shift into neutral on a down slope and weee we’z speeding up (potential
energy..ect) In North America we call it “Mexican overdrive”
Reply
You're an idiot
08/31/2025 at 8:16 pm
So you prefer wasting energy instead of coasting …. Got it, the lemmings are winning.
Reply
Mike Smithson
08/31/2025 at 11:30 am
They do
Reply
sherma
08/31/2025 at 12:20 pm
They do. I have been driving EV’s for 3 years and yes the brake lights come on.
Reply
Rick
08/31/2025 at 3:12 pm
True. Thats a feature available in aftermarket for motorcycles. Not for anything other than letting car’s
behind you aware. As motorcycles naturally slow quickly when throttling down. And are harder to detect a
quick deceleration. They are also vulnerable to rear end collision.
Reply
Jemisin
08/31/2025 at 4:02 pm
So this is the reason drivers coast slowly to the stop lights causing the other cars behind to unintentionally
crawl up their backside. Fine for you but horrible for the one, three, eight drivers behind you. Make sure to
adjust your headrest because it’s just a matter of time before you get clobbered from behind.
Reply
Hood
08/31/2025 at 7:42 pm
Your comment suggests that. You drive at speed towards a red traffic light and then use the brake hard.
What’s the point in doing that?
Reply
JMM
08/31/2025 at 8:32 pm
Perhaps if the drivers in the rear are paying attention they’ll notice the person in front has slowed and
adjust their own speed. Get off you’re phone and you’ll be aware of the traffic flow ahead of you.
Reply
JohnAjijic
08/31/2025 at 5:26 pm
Without appropriate training and practice, I think it could make the roads more dangerous. Not so much
for the lack of brake lights, but because unskilled drivers may not recognize and react appropriately when
they need to use the brake pedal and may brake too late or not bake at all in an emergency situation.
Reply
Joseph (Joe) Lia
08/31/2025 at 6:10 pm
For about 30 years i was practically an agent for subaru cars in malta (until finally i stoped them in the year
2000) often next to no other par capita in thoughout europe.
I still have Subarus. Ot in a hirry to sell plus a big stock of Subaru spare parts of models pre 1995. Some
years ago I got information from subaru itself that all subarus are designed to be able to be driven using
only one foot.
I tried to experiment it but you have to know (easily discovered) how to do it. Indeed driving with only one
foot is even more safe for which I will try to find time to explain if requested requested.
It is a pity for subaru not to have told us many years ago. It also seems now that either most cars or all cars
are now so manuffactured maybe.
Recently a Subaru STI owner had disabled one foot while working. I happened to tell him about it after
months of not using his sti Now he is more than happy with it and driving it regulary.
The only problem is that if you try using one foot only it may be that you would want to continue so.
I noted that to have such a car your carb or fuel injection must be more advanced plus more than this
indeed. I wonder if non Japaneses authorities knows about it
Reply
Adeyemo Akinkunmi
08/31/2025 at 5:15 am
What a new way of orientation and schooling!!!!
I will like to give it a shot
Reply
Fred
08/31/2025 at 6:24 am
And here I was thinking that the hidden feature hardly anyone knew about was steering with the gas pedal
by controlling the drift through turns…
Reply
Steve Hopkinson
08/31/2025 at 8:28 am
I drive a Nissan Leaf. The button “eco pedal” lets you drive with minimal use of the footbrake. Don’t panic
you won’t forget to use your footbrake in emergencies.
Town driving in particular becomes less fraught, the gradual slowing of the car without touching the
brakes may perhaps take 24 hours to become embedded in your driving skill set, but once done you’ll find
yourself putting your finger on the eco pedal. Frankly with the Nissan, it’s a tad hidden near the
transmission lever and might be better placed.
The only time I switch it off is when I’m negotiating a tricky reversing manoeuvre where a small amount of
roll rather than braking is needed. My mate the mechanic says getting on to garage ramps almost
impossible with the system on.
I’d be very unhappy now to buy a car without this feature, one because of driving convenience and
secondly a £400+ bill for all round disk and pad brake replacement!
Reply
CDTchr
08/31/2025 at 9:38 am
Net zero is as dead as a dodo Drill baby drill
Reply
Garth
08/31/2025 at 3:53 pm
…and never mind about the grandkids.
Reply
CDTchr
08/31/2025 at 9:48 am
The environment is being destroyed by the mining of lithium and other battery components so it’s like
squeezing the proverbial bubble and until we get the three major polluters on board it’s just a waste of
time.
Reply
Healthy
08/31/2025 at 10:00 am
On the Mercedes EQE and EQS there’s a lever on the steering column that you can push that will allow for
that feature to engage and slow down the car when you take your foot off the accelerator. I had no idea
that it’s charging the battery too.
Reply
Stephen
08/31/2025 at 11:48 am
It’s certainly a good feature, but the onboard computer system should be programmed to activate the stop
stop/brake lights to avoid being tail-gated/ended. Because most vehicles are still petrol or diesel with
their embedded driving habits.
Reply
Paul
08/31/2025 at 11:53 am
Lift and coast driving technique has been around for years to save fuel especially amongst hgv drivers.
Made more effective when adopting the Smiths system driving technique.
Reply
TonyC
08/31/2025 at 11:53 am
I use this feature on a regular basis. It’s nice to use less energy from the battery, even occasionally watch
the percentage actually increase a little while you drive.
Not to save the planet, but to save me money.
Reply
Mike Sullivan
08/31/2025 at 2:33 pm
The brake lights DO come on. The other issue with one-pedal driving is controlling the car on ice or packed
snow. Lifting your foot can occasionally cause the wheels to lock. When driving in the worst conditions I
turn that feature off.
Reply
John
08/31/2025 at 3:26 pm
Hypermiling is the ICE equivalent of this. It been around for ages. Thought process and techniques have
similarities. Only difference is no energy recapture. I can easily squeeze an extra 5 mpg out of my cars by
doing it. Drives aggressive drivers nuts though.
Reply
Hans
08/31/2025 at 3:43 pm
That’s the way you should drive in a gas engine as well. Look at traffic beyond just the car in front of you,
increase your mileage and save wear on you brakes.
Reply
Brian
08/31/2025 at 4:15 pm
I agree with Paul. I have used coasting for years. With a hybrid, I can see the results via the screen monitor
ie. 6 litre/100 km. I actually get better with a 2.5 litre engine. (4.8 litres/100km)
Also, my brakes have lasted way longer.
This technique, is used by my son and a uncle, who agree it saves on gas.
Reply
Jeff
08/31/2025 at 4:21 pm
I started using it and some times I can drive 42km and only use only 27- 30 km of range. Who would have
thought that was possible
Reply
Omilaiye Eyinjuedua
08/31/2025 at 5:32 pm
Brilliant knowledge you just impact on us. Thanks so much more grace
Reply
JohnAjijic
08/31/2025 at 5:33 pm
In the photo at the beginning of the article, why is the wide pedal (presumably the brake?) to the right of
the skinny pedal (presumably the accelerator?)?
The reversed pedals would be far more difficult for me to learn than one-pedal driving would be.
Reply
Ed
08/31/2025 at 7:09 pm
Really nothing new about this, trucks have had engine brakes as part of their operation for years. This is
the what causes the jack brake noises that a lot of people get upset about.
Reply
Devon
08/31/2025 at 8:52 pm
I drive an electric car from last 2 years and love regenerative braking. It’s actually safer when slowing down
for a traffic light, slowing traffic ahead or steep mountain inclines. This smooth stopping actually gives
more time to react for drivers behind thus less chances of being hit from back. But alas, some morons will
never get it.
Reply
Mark
08/31/2025 at 9:13 pm
I’m on my 3rd hybrid car. None of them slow down abnormally when releasing the gas pedal. In fact, I am
surprised at how far they coast.
Reply
Walter Clark
08/31/2025 at 9:39 pm
I agree with Ed. I have been driving my 40 ton tractor trailer rig for over35 years. It has 3 pedals, 1 clutch 1
“air brake control” and 1 “pedal to the metal”. and my right hand that has 18 choices. The secret is
PLANING. So to me this article has NOTHING NEW.
THANK YOU.
Reply
Leave a Comment
Comment
Name
Name *
Email
Email *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Privacy Policy & Cookies
Legal notice
Contact
Copyright ©leravi.org 2025
