A motoring expert has warned electric car owners to make sure one feature is switched off in winter (Image: Getty)
have been urged to make sure a common feature is switched off before beginning any to prevent accidents.
Sales of continued to grow throughout 2024, with the UK overtaking Germany to become Europe’s .
However, the global leasing company Ayvens urged drivers who are new to to make sure the single pedal driving function is switched off.
They warned: “One-pedal driving is one of the great advantages of . While it’s fantastic way to increase driving range and reduce brake wear in warmer months, using regenerative braking in winter can cause unexpected and potentially dangerous handling issues on slippery roads.
“When the roads are icy or wet, the deceleration force from regenerative braking can cause your wheels to lose grip, reducing your ability to steer the vehicle. This could lead to a loss of control and an uncontrolled slide.”
:
Single pedal driving allows motorists to increase and decrease their speed with the accelerator (Image: Getty)
Found on most electric models, single pedal driving uses a strong form of regenerative braking each time the driver takes their foot off the accelerator.
Whilst this can help to make driving slightly easier in most conditions, with the brake pedal only being used for emergency stops, and can help to replenish the battery without plugging the car into a charger, Ayvens warned that it could be dangerous in winter.
In particular, the company highlighted that the regenerative brakes could cause the tyres to lose grip with the road, causing it to skid and potentially cause an accident with another road user.
Don’t miss… [REPORT]
The expert warned that the feature could result in the vehicle losing grip with the road (Image: Getty)
To help electric vehicle owners avoid trouble in cold weather, Ayvens suggested that drivers switch off this function and take care when using the brakes.
They advised: “To stay safe on icy or snow-covered roads, it’s recommended that you either switch off regenerative braking or set it to a lower setting during the winter months.
“This adjustment will allow for smoother, more predictable braking and handling, ensuring you maintain better control of your vehicle.”
In addition to switching off single pedal driving, electric car owners should also make sure that they precondition the battery, particularly before lengthy journeys.
Just like the enigne of a petrol or diesel car, EV batteries are designed to work their best at a certain temperature, with range being notably worse until the cells warm up.
By pre-conditioning the battery, drivers are able to warm up the vehicle’s batteries whilst the EV is still plugged in, allowing them to get the best possible range, even in freezing weather.