How do I know if my regenerative braking is on?

Regenerative braking is usually on by default in modern electric and hybrid cars when you lift off the accelerator. You’ll feel the car slow and you may see a battery charging indicator on the dashboard.

What regenerative braking does and how you’ll notice it

Key signs to look for

Use these cues to confirm regen is engaged as you drive.

• Your car slows noticeably when you release the accelerator, without pressing the brake.


• A battery/energy flow indicator on the instrument cluster shows charging energy during deceleration.


• Your drive mode includes a regen option or a one-pedal driving setting (often labeled Regenerative Braking, One-Pedal, or B mode).


• Many vehicles display an energy flow diagram or a battery level graph that rises or shows charging arrows during deceleration.

These cues are common across most EVs and hybrids. If you don’t see them, check the vehicle’s drive settings or consult the manual.

Where to look in your car to verify regen

Verification commonly rests on instrument visuals and the available drive settings. Use the following checks.

• Dashboard battery icon or energy flow indicator that shows charging while coasting or braking.


• Infotainment or instrument-screen display with an energy-flow diagram or arrows indicating energy going to the battery.


• Drive mode or settings menu with options for Regenerative Braking or One-Pedal Driving and adjustable strength (High/Standard/Low).


• Owner’s manual or the vehicle’s app often lists how regen works for your model.

With these checks, you can quickly confirm how regen is configured and behaving in your specific car.

Common regen modes and how they feel

Typical options you’ll encounter

Many manufacturers offer a range of regen intensities. Here’s what to expect on a typical modern EV/hybrid:

• One-pedal or High regen: strong deceleration, allowing you to slow or stop using only the accelerator in many situations.


• Standard regen: a balanced deceleration that still favors regenerative energy recovery.


• Low regen: lighter deceleration; more reliance on friction brakes for slower stops.


• Regeneration off or None: rarely available, but some modes can disable regen (usually in specific conditions or in older models).

Understanding these options helps you tailor driving to your traffic conditions and efficiency goals.

When regen may be limited or unavailable

Regen isn’t always fully available. Certain conditions will reduce or pause regenerative braking to protect the battery or maintain vehicle control.

• Battery is at or near full charge, which can cap regen to prevent overcharging.


• Battery temperature is too cold or too hot; regen may be limited until temperatures normalize.


• Wheel slip, ABS, or traction control events temporarily reduce regen to preserve stability.


• Specific drive modes or utility features (e.g., certain towing or sport modes) may alter regen behavior.

In these cases, you’ll still have friction brakes to stop the car safely, but regen contribution will be reduced or paused.

Practical tips for driving with regenerative braking

Here are practical tips to get the most from regen without compromising safety.

• Practice one-pedal driving in safe, low-traffic areas to feel how regen slows the car.


• Start with lower regen in heavy traffic or on slippery surfaces to maintain predictable braking.


• Use regen to maximize efficiency by anticipating stops and coasting when appropriate.


• Monitor the energy/battery indicators and the drive settings so you know when regen is active and how strong it is.

Most drivers find regen intuitive after a short adjustment period and it can significantly boost efficiency, especially in urban driving.

Summary

Regenerative braking is a standard feature in modern EVs and hybrids. You’ll know it’s active when you experience noticeable deceleration when you lift off the accelerator, and you’ll often see a battery charging indicator or energy-flow diagram on the dash. Regen strength is usually adjustable, with one-pedal modes common on newer models. It can be limited when the battery is full or cold, or during stability-control events. By familiarizing yourself with your car’s indicators and settings, you can drive more efficiently while staying safe on the road.

How do I turn on regenerative braking?

To turn on regenerative braking, you generally use the car's central touchscreen or steering wheel paddles, though the exact method depends on the vehicle model. Some EVs have an "auto" or "smart" mode for automatic adjustments, while others offer levels of manual control. For most, enabling the feature involves accessing settings via the touchscreen or selecting a "one-pedal driving" mode, while others use paddle shifters to adjust the intensity. 
Using the touchscreen or vehicle settings 

• Access the settings: Find the vehicle, EV, or driving settings on your car's central touchscreen. 
• Locate regenerative braking: Look for options like "Regenerative Braking," "One-Pedal Driving," or "Efficiency". 
• Enable and adjust: Tap the setting to turn it on. You may be able to choose between "Standard" and "Low" levels or activate a "Smart" or "Auto" mode that adjusts based on road conditions. 

This video demonstrates how to turn on and adjust regenerative braking using the touchscreen: 1mHyundaiUSAYouTube · Apr 3, 2025
Using steering wheel paddles 

• Increase/Decrease level: Pull the left paddle to increase regenerative braking or the right paddle to decrease it. 
• Activate one-pedal driving: Pull and hold the left paddle to engage a higher level of regenerative braking, such as one-pedal driving mode, which may allow the vehicle to come to a stop without using the brake pedal. 
• Turn on smart regeneration: Press and hold the right paddle for a few seconds to activate smart regeneration, which uses cameras to monitor traffic and road conditions. 

This video shows how to adjust regenerative braking using the steering wheel paddles: 58sHyundaiUSAYouTube · Dec 16, 2023
Important considerations

• Battery conditions: Regenerative braking performance can be limited when the battery is fully charged or in very cold weather, as the battery can't accept more energy. 
• Check your manual: Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for specific instructions on how to turn on and adjust regenerative braking. 
• Safety: Always be prepared to use the physical brake pedal, even when using one-pedal driving, as regenerative braking may not be able to stop the vehicle in all situations. 

Can regenerative braking be turned off?

Yes, regenerative braking can often be turned off, though the method varies by vehicle. Some EVs, like older Teslas or the Hyundai Kona, have settings to turn it off or reduce it significantly, while newer Tesla models can be set to "Roll" to disable it. Aftermarket solutions and configurations in custom-built electric vehicles can also be used to turn it off. 
Methods to turn off regenerative braking 
This video demonstrates how to turn off regenerative braking on a Tesla by using the 'Roll' setting: 37sIt's ElectricYouTube · Oct 18, 2024

• Tesla: Newer models allow you to set the stopping mode to "Roll," which disables regenerative braking, according to this YouTube video. Older models might have a "low" setting to significantly reduce the effect, though some versions have removed this option entirely. 
• Other EVs: Many other electric vehicles have the ability to turn off or significantly reduce regenerative braking through their infotainment system settings. 
• Custom or aftermarket solutions: For vehicles without a built-in option, aftermarket parts like "S3xy buttons" or specific configurations on custom controllers can be used to disable it. 
• In-line control: Some electric bikes and scooters allow you to disable regenerative braking by setting the motor controller settings to a specific mode like "Current Duty Cycle". 

What happens when regenerative braking is off

• When regenerative braking is disabled, the vehicle will not slow down automatically when you lift your foot from the accelerator, and instead, it will coast. 
• This can make driving feel more like a traditional internal combustion engine vehicle. 
• You will also need to rely more on the friction brakes for slowing down, which can wear them out faster and decrease overall energy efficiency, reducing the vehicle's range. 

Is it bad if I accidentally drove with my e-brake on?

Driving with the emergency brake engaged can overheat brake components, causing warped rotors or damaged pads. A brake pedal that sinks to the floor often indicates a master cylinder leak or air in the brake lines. Start by checking brake fluid levels and inspecting for leaks around the master cylinder and brake lines.

How to tell if a car has regenerative braking?

It is so seamless you may not notice it. When the car decelerates, take a look at your Power Indicator Gauge, which is on the center of the display (to the right of the speedometer) in the Single Gauge Layout. You'll know you are using regenerative braking when the Power Indicator goes negative (or below zero).