This came up on the Car Pro Show last Saturday when I remarked that I loved one-pedal driving in my electric BMW and in every electric vehicle I’ve ever reviewed. Todd didn’t know what I was talking about and that made me wonder if there were not others who were unaware as well. So, I decided to let everyone know what one-pedal driving is all about.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are redefining not just how we power our cars—but how we drive them. A standout feature turning heads today is one-pedal driving (OPD). Far from being a gimmick, OPD is intuitive and practical: when you lift off the accelerator, the car decelerates automatically, thanks to regenerative braking. The regular brake pedal still exists for harder stops, but many drivers find themselves using it far less.
In many ways, OPD evokes the concept of down shifting in a manual car—but much smoother, and operational all the way to a full stop. This approach reduces driver fatigue, especially in stop-and-go city driving, because you aren’t constantly switching between accelerator and brake.
One of OPD’s most compelling qualities is that it’s not forced on every driver. Many EV models—such as the Hyundai IONIQ 5, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Jeep Wagoneer S I am reviewing this week, my personal BMW i5, and Kia EV6—offer adjustable regenerative braking levels or even a full “off” mode, letting you choose your preferred balance between coasting and deceleration.
Some drivers use OPD only when crawling through city traffic—there it offers refined control without excessive brake usage. Others, especially those who once drove manuals, embrace it as part of the driving experience: responsive, engaging, and rewarding.
Though subtle, the shift to one-pedal driving brings tangible benefits:
Over time, many who adopt OPD say it begins to feel right. Going back to a traditional driving style may feel awkward. That said, flexibility is built in—some switch OPD on for urban driving and off for highway cruising, where coasting often feels more natural.
One of the beauties of modern EVs is choice. There’s no obligation to use OPD if you don’t want to. Manufacturers understand that driver preferences vary, so many vehicles offer a “blended” or partial regenerative setting, or allow full deactivation of OPD. That degree of tailoring is a core strength of the EV platform.
Ultimately, the real power of one-pedal driving isn’t about revolutionizing everything—that comes naturally. It’s about giving drivers options: test the feel, see what fits your style, and decide how you want your EV to behave. For me, I use it every time I have an EV and I set it for the maximum regeneration.