The 2018 Nissan Leaf Will Get The E-Pedal
Pictured above is the 2017 Nissan Leaf.
The 2018 Nissan Leaf will be the Japanese automaker’s main electric vehicle offering. As it gets ready to debut for its second generation, Nissan continues to improve it with technology currently being made available in the market. One such technology is the E-Pedal.
But before that, let’s look back at what we know so far. Teases from Nissan showed that the new Leaf will have a refreshed pair of headlights and an upgraded grille. Based on the spy shots gathered, this upcoming model will be more attractive aesthetically compared to the current generation out in the market.
A video also featured the Leaf’s use of the brand’s ProPilot, the semi-autonomous driving system that this new generation will come packaged with. And speaking of autonomous driving, it came as no surprise that Nissan is fitting the 2018 Nissan Leaf with the E-Pedal, which you will either love or hate.
Basically, the E-Pedal is a single-pedal system, which can automatically accelerate or brake depending on the driver’s foot position. When accelerating, there isn’t much difference because it functions just like any ordinary accelerator pedal. What it does after you lift your foot from the pedal is what differentiates it.
As the driver lifts his foot from the accelerator, the car will automatically slow down and will come to a full stop when the foot is completely off the pedal. This will work even when you are on a hill or in a “hanging” position. The commands will be based on the position of your foot on the E-Pedal.
This sounds promising, of course, when you think about the concept of autonomous driving. Drivers, however, will have to get used to having a single-pedal system, though this may backfire to Nissan. It is highly doubtful if people will trust this E-Pedal system enough, or if they will even open up to the idea of using it.