Motorists are being alerted that a widespread car feature is “dangerous” in the frosty weather. Ayvens has highlighted to novice EV owners the importance of deactivating the single-pedal driving function throughout the winter period.
They cautioned, “One-pedal driving is one of the great advantages of owning an electric vehicle. While it’s fantastic way to increase driving range and reduce brake wear in warmer months, using regenerative braking in winter can cause unexpected and potentially dangerous handling issues on slippery roads.”
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They added, “When the roads are icy or wet, the deceleration force from regenerative braking can cause your wheels to lose grip, reducing your ability to steer the vehicle.”
Furthermore, Ayvens advised, “This could lead to a loss of control and an uncontrolled slide.”
To minimise risks on icy or snow-coated roads, they recommended either switching off the regenerative braking or setting it to a lower level for the colder season. This precaution could ensure smoother and more stable braking and manoeuvring, crucial for maintaining better command over your vehicle, reports Birmingham Live.
One-pedal driving distinguishes electric vehicles significantly from their petrol or diesel counterparts by applying a small amount of regenerative braking automatically when the acceleration ceases, akin to the engine braking effect in a traditional motorcar.
Gridserve has clarified the benefits of regenerative braking, stating: “Not only does it increase the amount of charge you put back into the battery, but it also means you don’t need to press the brake pedal anywhere near as often. Sometimes the regen effect is so strong that, if you’re in town at least, you might not need to press the brake at all on your journey.”
They added, “You simply balance the accelerator with your right foot to keep the car at a steady speed, and as you pull your foot up the braking force will increase. This is ‘one-pedal driving’.”
Drivers warned to ‘switch off’ one-pedal driving in EVs for ‘two months’