One-Pedal Driving in LA Traffic: A Practical Guide to Regenerative Braking

One-pedal driving lets you speed up and slow down with the accelerator alone. Lift your foot and the car slows itself using regenerative braking, which turns motion back into stored energy instead of losing it as heat. In crawling traffic on the 405 or the 101, that means a lot less switching between pedals. Most drivers get the hang of it fast, and the brake pedal is always there for firm or sudden stops. The easiest way to feel it is to schedule a test drive at Polestar Los Angeles in North Hills.

What is one-pedal driving, exactly?

One-pedal driving means the accelerator does double duty. Press it and the car moves. Ease off and the car slows down on its own, smoothly and predictably. On a Polestar 3, Polestar's owner's manual says fully releasing the accelerator brings the car to a stop unless automatic creep is turned on.

You're still driving a car with two pedals. The brake pedal is right where you expect it. One-pedal driving just changes how much work your right foot does in everyday traffic.

If you've only driven gas cars, the closest comparison is coasting or downshifting, but stronger and more consistent. Instead of rolling freely when you lift off, the car starts to slow. How firmly it slows depends on the setting and on how quickly you lift your foot.

How does regenerative braking recover energy?

In an electric vehicle, the motor that drives the wheels can also work as a generator. When you lift off the accelerator, the turning wheels keep the motor spinning. The system uses that motion to send electricity back to the battery, and the resistance it creates is what slows the car.

Conventional brakes work the opposite way. They use friction to turn motion into heat, and that energy is gone. Regenerative braking recaptures part of it instead. A stop and go commute, which wastes energy in a gas car, becomes a steady cycle of using energy and getting some of it back.

That energy goes back into a battery Polestar keeps in its comfort zone with an active cooling system. We covered that side in how Polestar manages battery longevity in LA heat, and our post on how fall temperatures affect EV range in LA picks up the seasonal side (EPA-estimated range; actual range varies with conditions). For the full picture, see our range and charging page (EPA-estimated range; actual range varies with conditions).

What does one-pedal driving feel like on the 405 and 101?

Picture the 405 through the Sepulveda Pass at rush hour, or the 101 creeping across the Valley. In a conventional car, your foot shuttles back and forth: gas, brake, gas, brake. With one-pedal driving, most of that turns into small adjustments to a single pedal. Need to close a gap? Press a little. Traffic tightens ahead? Lift a little.

A lot of drivers find it calmer. There's less of the jerky on and off motion that bugs passengers, and your leg isn't constantly lifting and repositioning. On surface streets with frequent signals, like Sepulveda Boulevard, the same rhythm applies. You learn where to start lifting so the car glides to a stop near the line.

The first few miles can feel abrupt if you lift your foot all at once, the way you might in a gas car. That's normal. It fades as you learn to lift gradually.

Can you adjust One Pedal Drive on a Polestar?

Yes. Polestar's owner's manuals for the Polestar 2 and the Polestar 3 both list three One Pedal Drive settings in the center display: Off, Low and Standard. Off lets the car roll freely when you lift off. Low adds some slowing, with a feel Polestar compares to motor braking. Standard gives the strongest effect, and the Polestar 2 manual calls it suitable for city driving. The feel and details still vary by model and software version, so a Polestar 2 won't drive exactly like a Polestar 3.

At Polestar Los Angeles, the Polestar 2 is available as a certified pre-owned vehicle. If it's on your list, browse our certified pre-owned Polestar 2 inventory and ask to see the One Pedal Drive settings on the car you drive. Same goes for the Polestar 3. Try the settings before you pull out so you know what you're starting with.

How should you ease into one-pedal driving on a test drive?

A test drive is the right place to learn. There's no pressure and you can try more than one setting. Here's a simple progression:

1. Start gentle. Begin on Low so the change from a gas car feels small.
2. Find a quiet stretch first. A calm side street is the place to feel how the car slows when you lift off.
3. Lift slowly. Treat the accelerator like a dimmer switch. A gradual lift gives a gradual slowdown.
4. Practice a few stops. Notice where the car settles when you lift, and keep your foot ready to move to the brake pedal.
5. Add some real traffic. If time allows, include a busier road so you can feel the stop and go rhythm you'll live with every day.
6. Compare settings. Once you're comfortable, try Standard and see which one feels natural for your commute.

When do the friction brakes still matter?

Regenerative braking handles a lot of routine slowing, but your friction brakes are still essential. For any sudden or emergency stop, go straight to the brake pedal. Polestar's manuals are clear that there's a limit to how much braking One Pedal Drive can apply, and hard braking takes the brake pedal.

Keep these in mind too:

• When you need more stopping force than lifting off provides, like when traffic stops short near a freeway exit.
• On slick pavement. The first rain after a dry spell can leave LA roads slippery. Polestar doesn't recommend One Pedal Drive in slippery conditions, and the Polestar 2 manual notes regenerative ability may be reduced on slippery roads. Consider switching it off, keep your inputs smooth, and use the brake pedal.
• The disc brakes still pitch in. On the Polestar 3, regenerative braking takes priority, but the disc brakes engage when the braking demand calls for them.

Like any car, an EV with regenerative braking still needs its brakes inspected on a regular schedule. Our post-summer battery and systems check post covers what a fall visit looks at, and you can schedule service with our North Hills team any time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is one-pedal driving hard to get used to?

Usually not. The main habit to unlearn is lifting off the accelerator all at once, which makes the car slow more sharply than you expect. Starting on Low and lifting gradually makes the switch comfortable, and a test drive is a low-pressure way to try it.

Do I still have to use the brake pedal with one-pedal driving?

Yes. One-pedal driving handles a lot of routine slowing, but the brake pedal is for sudden stops, emergencies and any time you need more stopping force than lifting off provides. Keep your foot ready to move to it, especially while you're still learning.

Can I change how strong one-pedal driving feels in a Polestar?

Yes. The Polestar 2 and Polestar 3 owner's manuals list Off, Low and Standard settings, and the feel varies by model. Low feels closer to a conventional car, while Standard does more of the slowing for you. Trying both on a test drive is the easiest way to find your preference.

Does regenerative braking mean my brakes will never need service?

No. Regen takes on a lot of everyday slowing, but the friction brakes still handle stops that need extra force and still need regular inspection. Polestar's Polestar 2 manual even recommends braking hard regularly with the friction brakes, when it's safe to do so, to avoid brake disc problems from inactivity like rust or dirt buildup. Follow the maintenance schedule for your vehicle.

Ready to try one-pedal driving in real traffic?

Reading about one-pedal driving helps, but feeling it is what makes it click. Schedule a test drive, start on Low, and work up to the feel that suits your commute. Have a question first? Contact our team or call 818-838-6999. We're at 8333 Sepulveda Blvd, North Hills, CA 91343, inside the Galpin Volvo Flagship store.

Schedule a Test Drive | Contact Our Team

Disclaimer: One Pedal Drive settings, availability and behavior vary by model and software version; see your owner's manual for details. Always use the brake pedal for hard or emergency stops. Range references are EPA-estimated range; actual range varies with conditions. Polestar 2 vehicles referenced are certified pre-owned; see dealer for certification details. Service recommendations are based on inspection.