Drivers’ Perceptions, Understanding, and Real-World Use of Regenerative Braking and One-Pedal Driving in Electric Vehicles

As electric vehicles (EVs) become more commonplace, more drivers are exposed to regenerative braking (RB), a process where the EV’s electric motor regenerates energy through decelerating when the accelerator pedal is released. Newer EVs incorporate “one-pedal driving” (OPD) modes that allow drivers to control vehicle speed with only the accelerator pedal. We surveyed 514 American EV drivers online regarding their perception, knowledge, and use of RB and OPD. Most EV drivers had RB or OPD in their EV and reported regular use. However, drivers did not always rely on RB/OPD and reported using the service brake regularly. EV drivers reported positive feelings toward RB and OPD, rating both as enjoyable and reliable. However, knowledge regarding factors that affect the operation of RB and OPD was limited. Future naturalistic driving studies are needed to understand typical consumer use of RB and OPD in varied driving scenarios.