What is One-Pedal Driving?

Many electric cars and some plug-in hybrids now offer one-pedal driving. It’s a feature that sounds futuristic but is surprisingly easy to get used to - and can even make driving more relaxing, especially in traffic. But what is one-pedal driving, how does it work, and is it right for you? Let’s take a look…​

How does One-Pedal Driving work?

One-Pedal Drivingfundamentally enables you to use just the accelerator pedal to speed up and slow down. When you lift your foot off, the car automatically slows - sometimes to a complete stop. You theoretically only need to use the brake pedal for emergency stops or very sharp braking.

In most cars, you can turn the one-pedal driving mode on or off.

Check out One Pedal Drive in the Mustang Mach-E

One-Pedal Driving vs Regenerative Braking

These terms are often mentioned together, but what’s the connection?

Regenerative braking uses the car’s electric motor as a generator when slowing down, converting kinetic energy into electricity to recharge the battery.

One-pedal driving builds on this by increasing the regenerative braking force enough that you can slow - and often stop - without touching the brake pedal.

What is the point of One-Pedal Driving?

The main goal of One-Pedal Driving is efficiency and ease. By recapturing more energy when you slow down, you can extend your driving range and reduce brake wear.

It also makes stop-start driving less tiring, as you’re using a single pedal for most of your control.

Is One-Pedal Driving difficult?

At first, it can take some getting used to. You’ll need to learn how much to ease off the pedal to slow down and when to lift off completely to stop.

Most drivers find they adapt quickly. In fact, after a week or two, many say they prefer it to traditional driving, especially in urban areas where stop-start driving is more common.

Is One-Pedal Driving only available on electric cars?

While it’s most common in EVs, such as the Mustang Mach-E and Puma Gen-E, some plug-in hybrid cars also offer it - but usually only in their pure-electric driving mode.

Whilst regular hybrids have regenerative braking, they can’t use single pedal driving because their petrol engine is the main power source.

Check out One Pedal Drive in the Puma Gen-E

What are the advantages of One-Pedal Driving?

There are many advantages to One-Pedal Driving, including:

• Convenience – Especially in stop-and-go traffic.
• Improved range – More miles from each charge.
• Lower running costs – Fewer brake replacements.
• Smoother stops – The system applies braking power evenly.
• Energy recovery – Captures more energy for recharging.
• Better efficiency – Less wasted energy, lower overall consumption.

Many of these benefits translate into greener, more eco-friendly driving.

What are the disadvantages of One-Pedal Driving?

While the benefits are strong, there are a few drawbacks to One-Pedal Driving:

• Adjustment period – Braking can feel jerky until you get used to modulating the pedal.
• Over-slowing – Strong regen braking can slow the car more than you want if you remove your foot suddenly.
• Loss of Coasting - The option to coast is usually not available with one pedal driving
• Emergency Stops – The conventional brake pedal must be used for a full emergency stop.

Learn more at Foray Motor Group

Once you’ve got used to it, one-pedal driving can make your journeys smoother, quieter, and more efficient.

Contact Foray Motor Group to explore our range of EVs and Hybrid cars and to arrange a test drive so you can experience the difference for yourself.

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