Warning for millions of drivers who have 'regenerative braking' in their cars

A warning has been issued to millions of drivers with a "regenerative" braking system in their cars. Ayvens says using the regenerative braking tool in winter can lead to unexpected and potentially dangerous handling issues.

Ahead of the UK snow storm, which is continuing, Ayvens explained: “When the roads are icy or wet, the deceleration force from regenerative braking can cause your wheels to lose grip, reducing your ability to steer the vehicle.

"This could lead to a loss of control and an uncontrolled slide. To stay safe on icy or snow-covered roads, it’s recommended that you either switch off regenerative braking or set it to a lower setting during the winter months.

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"This adjustment will allow for smoother, more predictable braking and handling, ensuring you maintain better control of your vehicle. You can usually adjust this setting through your car’s interface, and if you're unsure how, consult your vehicle manual for instructions.”

EVs use regenerative braking as well as conventional brakes. The energy which is lost when the car slows down is converted back into stored energy in the battery. It makes braking more efficient so there’s less wear and tear on your brake system.

Auto Trader advises: "Regenerative braking is a way of taking the kinetic energy from a car’s momentum and converting this into electricity when you need to slow down. This electrical energy can be used to recharge your hybrid or electric car’s battery. On a normal car, braking simply wastes energy – but with regenerative braking, some of this otherwise unharnessed energy is able to be reused.

"Regenerative braking systems are common on many modern cars. On petrol and diesel models, it’s used to charge the battery that runs various ancillary systems in the car, meaning less work for the engine and less fuel burned. In these cars, the system is virtually imperceptible to the driver, but in hybrid and pure-electric cars regenerative braking takes a more active and obvious role."