Electric car brakes: how do they work?

December 01, 2021

Thanks to the meteoric rise of Tesla and other electric vehicles, we now have a lot of questions regarding how they actually work. Do electric cars have the same type of brakes as regular gasoline cars do? What even is regenerative braking? And how does only one-pedal driving work? We go through the most common electric-car-brakes FAQ below!

How do electric cars brake?

Electrified vehicles have a new braking system called regenerative braking, which we explain in detail below. In addition, electric vehicles also have a conventional hydraulic braking system as a backup for everyone's safety, in case the regenerative braking system malfunctions. That being said, many electric vehicles are also practicing a one-pedal approach. 

What is regenerative braking?

If you've ever asked yourself why hybrid cars don't need to be plugged in the same way that fully electric cars do, regenerative braking is one of the answers. In this braking system, the kinetic energy of your deceleration is captured in the battery of the hybrid or electric vehicle and then used to power the electric motor to keep driving. The car basically uses its own energy, produced when braking, to power itself to move forward at high speeds! How cool is that?

What is one-pedal driving in an electric car?

One-pedal driving is a unique feature available on hybrids and on electric vehicles. You may infer what this method of driving is from its name - the driver only uses one pedal to accelerate and slow down and doesn't need to use the second (brake) pedal to stop the car. And the regenerative braking is to thank for this phenomenon! 

How does one-pedal driving work?

There is usually an on-and-off button that you can engage to turn on regenerative braking and one-pedal driving. Then, as you anticipate slowing down, at a red light, for example, you can lift your foot off the accelerator pedal. Immediately, the deceleration will start gently slowing down your car as the kinetic energy generated from braking replenishes the battery. This method takes longer to stop than traditional hydraulic braking so make sure to leave a lot of space between you and others when practicing.

And, you do still have a brake pedal in case you need to make an emergency stop and this is where the conventional hydraulic system comes in handy.

Do electric cars need brake fluid?

You may be saving on gas with your electric car (especially in 2021!) but your green machine still needs maintenance. The timing will depend on how often you drive your EV and in what weather conditions but in general, Tesla says to get a yearly brake maintenance with cleaning and lubricant services. Brake fluid is still a part of EVs' braking systems and needs to be checked for moisture contamination every two years or so, which is pretty standard for regular gasoline vehicles too. 

Now you know how electric cars brake!