New Energy Vehicle Braking Controversy: Why Can't We Rely Solely on "One-Pedal Mode"?

　　The "one-pedal mode" of new energy vehicles was once considered a hallmark of driving innovation. It achieves a "one-pedal" deceleration experience through energy recovery, and has even been touted by some automakers as "the future of driving." However, as controversies emerge from practical applications, a key question is increasingly prompting reflection from the industry and users: Why can't new energy vehicles rely solely on one-pedal mode for safe braking?

　　The "Charm" and Limitations of One-Pedal Mode

　　One-pedal mode integrates acceleration and braking into a single operation: lifting the foot initiates energy recovery, while pressing it delivers power. This design simplifies operation and improves energy efficiency, especially in congested urban conditions, reducing the frequency of mechanical braking. However, its limitations are also significant. The intensity of energy recovery is limited by motor power and battery status. At high speeds or in emergency situations, energy recovery alone cannot provide sufficient braking force, and the traditional mechanical braking system must still intervene. In addition, the "linear feedback" of one-pedal mode differs from traditional driving habits. Subtle changes in pedal release can cause sudden stops or unexpected acceleration, posing risks to less experienced drivers.

　　Safety Controversy: From "Human-Machine Game" to "System Redundancy"

　　The core of the controversy lies in safety and scene adaptability. One-pedal mode may reduce reaction speed in certain scenarios: for example, in rainy or snowy weather, slippery roads require the retention of the coercive braking capability of mechanical brakes; in high-speed emergency evasive maneuvers, if the driver delays pressing the brake pedal due to being accustomed to one-pedal mode, they may miss the braking opportunity. In addition, complete reliance on one-pedal mode weakens the driver's familiarity with the vehicle's mechanical braking system. After long-term formation of "muscle memory," if a system malfunction or extreme situation occurs, operational unfamiliarity may lead to increased risk.

　　From a technical perspective, current new energy vehicles must still follow the redundant design logic of traditional braking systems. Chinese national standards clearly require new energy vehicles to retain mechanical braking devices to ensure that the vehicle can still brake safely through hard-wired braking under extreme conditions such as motor failure or battery failure. This regulation reveals the essence of one-pedal mode's inability to completely replace traditional braking—energy recovery is only auxiliary; mechanical braking is the safety bottom line.

　　Scene Adaptability: Balancing Technological Ideals and Real-World Needs

　　The controversy surrounding one-pedal mode does not negate its innovative value, but emphasizes that technology must serve diverse needs. In daily commuting and low-speed driving scenarios, one-pedal mode does improve driving convenience and efficiency; however, in high-speed cruising, complex road conditions, or emergency avoidance, the reliability of traditional braking is irreplaceable. For example, although automakers like Tesla promote one-pedal mode, they still retain functions such as strong adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking (AEB) in their systems, essentially supplementing the limitations of "pure one-pedal" mode.

　　For users, understanding the boundaries of one-pedal mode is more important than blindly promoting it. Automakers need to provide clear user education to avoid misjudgment of risks due to excessive promotion; at the same time, they need to optimize human-machine interaction design, such as providing clearer braking feedback when releasing the pedal, or proactively prompting a switch to traditional braking in high-risk scenarios, rather than leaving the choice entirely to the user.

　　Conclusion: Braking Safety Requires a "Two-Legged Approach"

　　The evolution of braking systems in new energy vehicles is essentially the synergistic innovation of energy management and mechanical engineering. The popularization of one-pedal mode has promoted the maturity of energy recovery technology, but the safety bottom line is always guarded by the traditional braking system. The future direction of braking technology should be the deep integration of energy recovery and mechanical braking, rather than a choice between the two. Only by respecting the physical laws of driving and balancing efficiency and safety can the promise of "peace of mind when pressing the pedal" truly be realized.