New Nissan LEAF to feature e-Pedal one-pedal operation
19 July 2017
The new Nissan LEAF EV will feature e-Pedal, a driver-selectable option enabling full one-pedal driving. Actuated with the flip of a switch, e-Pedal allows drivers to accelerate, decelerate and stop using just the e-Pedal.
Nissan says that e-Pedal technology is the first one-pedal operation that allows drivers to bring the car to a complete stop even on hills, stay in position, and resume driving instantly. The company cautions that the conventional brake pedal should be used for aggressive braking situations.
Nissan says that drivers can cover 90% of their driving needs with the e-Pedal, making the process of driving more exciting. In heavy traffic and during city commutes, drivers will greatly reduce the need to shift from one pedal to the other, making your drive simpler and more engaging.
The e-Pedal technology represents another step in Nissan’s ongoing commitment to bring accessible, advanced driver assistance technologies to the mainstream. Set to make driving safer and more enjoyable, the development of these technologies is part of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the company’s blueprint for transforming how cars are driven, powered and integrated into society.
The Nissan LEAF is the world’s best-selling electric vehicle, with more than 277,000 units sold worldwide.
The new LEAF will debut in the US on 6 September.
Problem is, if you do not use the brake pedal regularly you will not react instinctively when it's needed.
Posted by: Paroway | 19 July 2017 at 02:30 PM
I think that this is the correct way to drive most of the time. The problem is that some drivers may forget to use the brake pedal in an emergency. With a front drive only electric vehicle, at best you would get only max braking from the front wheels.
What is the range for the new Leaf?
Posted by: sd | 19 July 2017 at 02:31 PM
I've leased a 2016 Volt for a year and a half. It has a regen paddle that almost brings the car to a halt except that the car has creep that can not be turned off. There is no problem remembering to use the brake pedal in an emergency. I like Nissan's approach better. The Volt's paddle is on the wheel and in a turn it is hard to keep it your hand on it. Also the paddle is a binary on/off instead off a gradual increase in regen. I've grown accustomed to that but my passengers comment about the way I am "braking". I test drove a Tesla P90 and with maximum regen it is not as strong as the Volt's. I hope they increase it on the model 3 which I'm in line to get when the lease runs out on the Volt. The Tesla does allow you to turn off the creep though which is great.
I kept my old 3 series BMW for about a year since I leased the Volt and I would drive it occasionally to charge the battery. Driving it reminded me of an old broken coaster brake bike I had when I was a kid. It took half a turn of the pedals to engage to go forward and an extra half back a turn to use the brake. With the Volt, the acceleration is instant as opposed to the half second delay on the BMW and the Volt does not coast with the shifter set on L (the regen on the accelerator pedal feels like you dropped a gear in a manual transmission). This allows you to place the car on a spot on the road much more precisley than any ICE car. Driving a regular car again feels dangerous because of that lack of precision. It also doesn’t hurt that if I find myself driving uncomfortably in a pack of cars I can silently dart away from the pack faster than most cars can follow.
Posted by: Willy Nilly | 19 July 2017 at 03:35 PM
The other advantages of regen is that you can drive aggressively without being as inefficient as a ICE car, you don’t leave a dusting of asbestos on the road for the neighborhood to breath and you don’t waste the brake pads and discs (which on the BMW was unreasonably expensive to replace). The way I use the regen paddle on the Volt, which is as much as possible, I think the brake pads and discs will last the life of the car. I only use the brakes to hold the car from creeping at a light or if I am stopping unusually fast, which is maybe once every few days. Once the regen is strong enough for emergency stops friction brakes will be seen as a crude relic.
Posted by: Willy Nilly | 19 July 2017 at 03:52 PM
@WillyNilly
Asbestos is not used in brake pads anymore.
Posted by: Thomas Lankester | 20 July 2017 at 04:41 AM
The best way to get an accident when driving in pouring rain and on icy roads in winter. Way to go nissan and green car congress community.
Posted by: gorr | 21 July 2017 at 01:13 PM
@Paroway
I agree, though you can't drive without using the break pedal. It's more of an idiotic marketing misnomer.
That said I think the feature they should implement is an adjustable automatic regen + brake by wire. They could call it regen drag or something which at it's fullest would brake as much the full power of the engine permits.
The brake pedal should also use regen. And should automatically add friction braking when regen is maxed out.
Posted by: avada | 12 August 2017 at 06:41 AM