The Tesla One Pedal Driving is one of the great advantages of electric cars from America. It increases efficiency, makes driving more comfortable and reduces wear and tear on the "normal" brakes.
In this article, we explain how you can set up Tesla One Pedal Driving and go into more detail about the benefits. We also take a look at the limitations - because even One Pedal Driving is not perfect.
How does Tesla One Pedal Driving work?
One Pedal Driving, i.e. driving using only the accelerator pedal, is made possible by so-called "regenerative braking". This means that as soon as you take your foot off the accelerator, the electric motor acts as a generator and recovers energy to recharge the battery.
This brakes the vehicle without you having to use the brake pedal and therefore the actual brakes. This means that, apart from situations that require emergency braking, you can drive without ever having to take your foot off the gas pedal.
Setting Tesla One Pedal Driving
Regenerative braking is set as standard in every Tesla. So you don't have to do anything and can use One Pedal Driving straight away. However, there are setting options with which you can influence the behavior of your Tesla.
You can find these on your touchscreen under Vehicle -> Pedals & Steering. Tap on "regenerative braking system". Here you can select how strong the braking effect of the electric motor should be when you step off the gas pedal. You can choose between "Standard" and "Low".
Attention: This setting option is currently not available for every Tesla and may be reintroduced in future updates.
On the other hand, if you tap on "Stop mode", you can define the behavior at very low speeds. There are three options here:
Halten
With this setting, your Tesla brakes to a complete stop as soon as you take your foot off the accelerator. As soon as you stop, the "normal" brakes are automatically activated - until you accelerate again. This mode therefore allows full One Pedal Driving, in which the brake pedal never needs to be touched.
Kriechen
When crawling, your Tesla always rolls forward at low speed and never comes to a complete stop - unless you press the brake pedal. It therefore behaves like a combustion engine with automatic transmission. One Pedal Driving is only possible at speeds above approx. 5 km/h.
Rollen
If you have activated "Rolling", your Tesla will virtually switch to idle at very low speeds. If you take your foot off the accelerator, the car neither brakes nor accelerates, but rolls freely.
Setting options are variable
Important: These setting options may change over time or may not be available for some models. Tesla has already reduced and reintroduced options via updates in the past and will probably continue to do so in the future.
One Pedal Driving Tesla: Advantages
But why should you use One Pedal Driving at all and not both pedals as before? Well, it's about comfort, safety, durability and efficiency. Once you get used to it, it is very pleasant not to have to constantly switch between two pedals.
And if you do have to brake suddenly, your car will slow down significantly in the time that elapses between releasing the gas pedal and applying the brakes - a difference that can make all the difference.
Aside from safety and comfort, your brake pads will last significantly longer if they are used less frequently. This means less maintenance work and therefore money saved. You can also save money because recuperation recovers energy and thus reduces your consumption.
Limitations of the system
Unfortunately, regenerative braking and One Pedal Driving are not perfect either, but there are a few things to consider. On the one hand, the strong braking deceleration when releasing the accelerator pedal can lead to loss of traction in snow, ice and heavy rain. It is therefore advisable to set the regenerative braking system from "Standard" to "Low" in this weather.
Another drawback: If you never use your normal brakes, they will rust and may be less powerful in emergency situations. So using the brake pedal every now and then does no harm. Here we have summarized why you should also brake your Tesla normally and how you can counteract rust formation.
Finally, One Pedal Driving differs significantly from the driving experience that many people are used to with combustion engines. So if you buy a Tesla, the new feeling often takes some getting used to. However, this condition is usually overcome quickly and the driver learns to appreciate the advantages of the system.
Never the less important: Even if One Pedal Driving generally works perfectly, you should never rely 100% on the system. Always be prepared to brake on your own - because when in doubt, conventional brakes are always the most effective.
What experiences have you had with the One Pedal Driving? Let us know in the comments below!
