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Just saw an ad where Nissan hypes a single gas pedal/brake. Didn't catch the model name.
You push it for acceleration and let it up to brake.
I just can't imagine this a good idea on the braking side.
You push down harder for more braking. With anti-lock brakes, you hold the pedal down for a straighter stop. Your natural instincts are to push the brake pedal to the floor to stop quickly.
Maybe with familiarity it works? But I just can't, in my mind, see how this setup works well, even if you get used to it.
Opinions? Thoughts?
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They were probably talking about the leaf.
They didn't remove the brake pedal, it's just a driving mode in a lot of EVs (the Volt and Bolt both do it too) it's mostly for stop and go, heavy traffic as a way to efficiently regen power instead of using the mechanical brakes.
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Sounds like the setup on my riding mower.
More of a seesaw pedal, except it is forward and reverse.
There is a "brake" on the left side but it is more of a parking brake/transmission lock I want to get off "brake".
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It is arguably safer, as if the driver lets off the pedal (gas) the default behavior of the vehicle is to stop.
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Can't power corner on that, though.
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Yeeeeahhhh, I'd need to see the implementation and application before casting a ballot.
On something like a lawn mower or golf cart, that makes sense, and might not be too hard to master.
Years ago, I operated an electric fork lift that had the same type of pedal. It worked because I didn't need to coast. There were two speeds— stop and go. Ok, Go may have had a small range of acceleration but not much.
I'd like to see how this would work on a street vehicle, where coasting is part of fuel (of any kind) economy.
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Hm, the Leaf.
I just can't imagine this a good idea on the braking side.
First blush, I agree.
Will removing one's foot be the equivalent of a a panic stop. That means some very careful metering. At least we can safely wager that rear-end collisions will be operator error.
But if you can practice it should [not] be insurmountable. New drivers will have it better though. I had two motorcycles years back and the shifter and brake were on opposite sides, and one shifted through gears opposite the other— shifting up through the gears meant clicking the shifter up on one bike and down on the other. Braking was a bit of a surprise at first.
The gas/brake thing could be easier to master.
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Ok, maybe an ePedal and a discrete brake pedal for those times when you just gotta stop?
