Regen Paddle Offers One-Pedal Driving for Chevrolet Bolt, Volt

CARS.COM — While we might be familiar with using steering-wheel paddles to go faster, Chevrolet is offering a paddle to let drivers of its 2016 Volt and coming Bolt EV stop faster, and even to use the paddle alone for braking in some driving situations.

The paddle uses vehicle software to make the electrified vehicles’ regenerative braking more aggressive — enough to bring the vehicle to a complete stop in some situations, Chevy says — while also recapturing more energy to recharge the battery and increase the car’s electric-range.

Related: Chevrolet Announces More Details on 2017 Bolt EV

The regen paddle can be used by itself or can be combined with the transmission’s “L” setting, which increases the overall level of regenerative braking, for maximum energy recapture when slowing down. (This transmission setting is labeled “B” for Brake in many electrified vehicles.)

Chevy says that using this combination in a Bolt in stop-and-go traffic adds about 5 percent to the all-electric vehicle’s range. The Bolt has a 60-kilowatt-hour battery pack and the company estimates its range will be rated at more than 200 miles.

The paddle also can be used separately on demand with the transmission in Drive for a more normal driving feel. Drivers “will be able to tailor the vehicle to their preferred driving style and maximize their range,” Josh Tavel, Bolt chief engineer, said in a statement.

While we have yet to have a chance to use the feature in a Bolt, Cars.com editor Aaron Bragman found that it was useful in the 2016 Volt and that it could slow the car dramatically, particularly if you also use the transmission’s “L” position. See his Volt review here.

Most automakers seem to struggle with getting their regenerative braking software to provide a satisfying linear feel in braking, so not having to use the brake pedal at all in traffic has appeal.

The 2016 Volt is on sale now. The first deliveries of the Bolt EV, which GM says will be priced about $30,000 after potential tax incentives if you qualify, are expected late this year.