One-Pedal Driving: How It Works, Benefits and Safety in Australia

One pedal to accelerate, lift off to slow down — one-pedal driving is a defining EV experience for Australian drivers. Here's how it works, where it shines, and what to watch out for.

Important 

One-pedal driving (OPD) is a comfort and efficiency feature designed to enhance the driving experience through regenerative braking. It is not a replacement for the physical brake pedal. Drivers must be ready to apply the mechanical brakes manually in all emergency braking situations. That includes whenever the vehicle's deceleration through one-pedal driving is insufficient for the current traffic conditions.

Switching to an electric vehicle brings new driving concepts. One of the most distinctive is one-pedal driving, where much of the deceleration is controlled via the accelerator rather than the brake pedal. What sounds unfamiliar at first is a well-thought-out combination of efficiency, comfort and modern vehicle technology.

How does one-pedal driving work?

With one-pedal driving, the driver controls both acceleration and deceleration through the accelerator pedal. When you lift your foot off the pedal, the electric motor acts as a generator and brakes the vehicle in a controlled manner. The energy produced is fed back into the battery through regenerative braking.

This system relieves the mechanical brakes in everyday use, but does not replace them. The physical brake pedal remains available at all times and is intended especially for emergency braking.

Efficiency and range in city traffic

Especially in stop-and-go traffic, one-pedal driving can help recover energy. Instead of converting kinetic energy into heat, part of it is stored when decelerating. Depending on the driving profile, this can support efficiency in urban traffic.

Benefits of one-pedal driving in everyday life

Limits and important notes

One-pedal driving is a comfort and efficiency feature, not a safety-relevant emergency braking solution. In certain situations, extra attention is required:

• Learning phase: getting used to modulating the pedal takes practice

• Winter conditions: on snow or ice, it's advisable to reduce regeneration

• Emergencies: for maximum deceleration, the brake pedal must always be used

Modern vehicles automatically recognise braking during strong deceleration and activate the brake lights — even without pressing the brake pedal.

One-pedal driving at XPENG: the X-Pedal concept

XPENG electric SUVs such as the NEW G6 offer several regeneration levels — from gentle coasting to X-Pedal mode. This delivers strong but controlled deceleration, while deliberately maintaining a low creep speed. For a complete stop, a brief press on the brake pedal is still required.

This concept supports an intuitive transition between regeneration and mechanical braking, and helps preserve natural driver instinct.

Source: XPENG NEW G6 user manual

Practical tips for getting started

• Start gently: begin with low regeneration

• Drive with finesse: use fine pedal control in city traffic

• Adjust to the situation: coasting can be more efficient on the freeway

FAQ

Q: Does one-pedal driving damage the electric motor?

A: No. Electric motors in electric vehicles are designed by construction for the use of regenerative braking. During one-pedal driving, the motor handles deceleration in a controlled way and converts kinetic energy into electrical energy. This operating state is technically intended and can even help relieve the mechanical brake components in everyday use. Actual load depends on individual driving behaviour and chosen settings.

Q: Can I use one-pedal driving on the freeway?

A: In principle, one-pedal driving can also be used on the freeway. At steady high speeds, however, it can be more efficient to coast with lower regeneration rather than continuously decelerating strongly. Many drivers adjust the regeneration level depending on the situation and prefer more pronounced one-pedal modes in city traffic or on exits.

Q: Is one-pedal driving enough for an emergency stop?

A: No. One-pedal driving is designed for comfortable, controlled deceleration and does not replace the mechanical braking system. In critical situations or when a full brake application is required, the physical brake pedal must always be used. The hydraulic braking system is designed for maximum, immediate braking force and remains the vehicle's primary safety system.