BRAKING WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS | TALKING CARS BONUS

EV Channels Review

Consumer Reports' 'Talking Cars' bonus episode tackles a critical safety concern: the lack of illuminated brake lights on certain EVs during regenerative braking, particularly when using one-pedal driving. The investigation, prompted by a viewer's question, found that Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis EVs (including the Ioniq 5, EV6, GV60, Electrified GV70, and Niro EV) often fail to activate brake lights unless the accelerator pedal is fully released, and even then, only at significant deceleration levels. Mercedes-Benz EVs exhibit a similar issue, where brake lights deactivate as the vehicle comes to a near stop. While manufacturers cite compliance with current federal regulations (FMVSS-108), which don't mandate brake light activation based on deceleration levels, Consumer Reports argues this is insufficient for modern EVs. They recommend drivers use lower regen settings or manually apply the brake pedal to ensure brake lights are active. The report calls for updated regulations to address this growing EV safety gap.