This Disputed EV Feature Will Be Prohibited In China By 2027 | Carscoops

      New regulations prohibit electric vehicles from automatically entering a one-pedal mode that can halt the car simply by easing off the accelerator.

      China has introduced new rules impacting the braking systems of electric cars.

      Electric vehicles are not permitted to default to a one-pedal driving setting.

      Experts believe that over-reliance on regenerative braking could pose safety risks for drivers.

      If you’ve had experience driving an electric vehicle, you likely have thoughts on regenerative braking. Some drivers prefer minimal regenerative braking, as they anticipate stops and feel that coasting when lifting off the accelerator enhances efficiency. Others favor the one-pedal mode, where the regenerative effect is so pronounced that braking is rarely necessary. However, the newly announced regulations in China indicate that regulators may not be supportive of one-pedal driving.

      Recently, a new national standard for passenger vehicles has been established in China, impacting EV drivers who prefer to manage acceleration and deceleration solely with their right foot. Under the guidelines of GB 21670-2025, drivers will not be able to configure their electric vehicles to automatically stop just by lifting their foot from the gas pedal, although the feature itself has not been entirely prohibited.

      Safety Considerations Take Precedence Over Efficiency.

      The legislation is not aimed at enhancing the driving range of electric vehicles in the country, but rather at increasing safety, as reported by China’s The Paper. It may seem logical that one-pedal mode enhances safety by eliminating the delay between removing pressure from the accelerator and engaging the brake pedal.

      Nonetheless, research indicates that drivers can become overly dependent on the regenerative braking effect that occurs when they ease off the accelerator, potentially leading to delayed responses in emergency situations where greater braking force is required beyond what regenerative braking can provide.

      New Regulations on Brake Lights and Anti-lock Braking Systems

      The rules regarding one-pedal mode will not take effect until January 1, 2027, but other modifications within the same safety standards will become mandatory a year earlier, including one that may surprise some.

      Starting next year, the brake lights of new electric vehicles must activate when deceleration due to energy recovery surpasses 1.3 m/s². This addresses a common issue for drivers behind electric vehicles, who may not recognize when a car is significantly slowing down without traditional brake light indicators.

      Additionally, anti-lock braking systems will become compulsory for new electric vehicles in China starting in 2026. This timeline is relatively delayed compared to other markets; ABS became mandatory in the U.S. in 2011 and in the EU in 2004.